• Tanzania engages Canada to support agricultural modernization and investment
• Talks focus on value chains, irrigation, mechanization, and technology transfer
• Rising wheat imports highlight gaps in domestic production

Tanzania is seeking closer cooperation with Canada to strengthen its agricultural sector and reduce reliance on food imports.

The initiative follows a meeting on April 15 in Dodoma between Deputy Agriculture Minister David Silinde and a delegation from the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians. According to local outlet Daily News, discussions covered investment opportunities, value chain development, and the transfer of technology and expertise.

The two sides also explored cooperation in farm mechanization, irrigation systems, and production methods, areas seen as critical to improving output and efficiency.

This effort comes at a time when Tanzania faces growing dependence on imports of key agricultural products, particularly wheat. Demand has continued to outpace domestic production, driving higher purchases on international markets.

In a report released in March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected Tanzania’s wheat imports at 1.5 million tons for the 2025/2026 season. If confirmed, this would mark a third straight year of rising imports since 2023/2024, with a 36% increase over the period.

These figures point to strong domestic demand but also underline the limits of local production capacity.

Canada remains a major player in the global wheat market. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, it ranks as the world’s seventh-largest producer, behind China, the European Union, India, Russia, the United States, and Australia, with average annual output of about 30.2 million tons between 2021 and 2023. It is also the fourth-largest exporter, after Russia, the European Union, and Australia.

Beyond wheat, Tanzanian authorities also aim to reduce dependence on imports of oilseeds. Strengthening international partnerships is seen as a key step toward accelerating the transformation of the agricultural sector.

Stéphanas Assocle