The Government of Tanzania, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, and the European Union (EU), has officially launched the second phase of the Support Towards the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) project. Funded by the EU through the Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) program, this phase will run from 2025 to 2028 with an investment of EUR 10 million. STOSAR II builds on the foundation laid by STOSAR I (2018–2024), which established frameworks to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems across the 16 SADC Member States, including Tanzania.
During the first phase, Tanzania made significant progress in strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, enabling six exporting companies working with over 2,000 avocado farmers to access markets in South Africa, China, and India. Disease surveillance efforts confirmed the absence of critical threats such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and banana Fusarium wilt (Foc TR4). Additionally, a vaccination campaign against Peste des Petits Ruminants improved livestock health, and preliminary steps were taken to facilitate meat exports to Mauritius.
Building on these achievements, STOSAR II will focus on four key strategic areas: Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS) to improve national agricultural data platforms; Market Access through enhanced plant and animal health systems and SPS frameworks; Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) by developing early warning systems and monitoring tools; and Inclusive Value Chains that promote the participation of women, youth, and small and medium enterprises in sustainable agricultural markets. At the project launch, Dr. Edwin Mhede, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, highlighted the urgent need for robust SPS frameworks to improve food safety, protect plant and animal health, and unlock new market opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
FAO Representative Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo expressed pride in supporting the initiative, emphasizing that the success of STOSAR II will be measured not only by strengthened systems but also by the tangible benefits created for farmers, traders, and consumers who depend on safe and efficient agricultural systems. Mr. Lamine Diallo, head of Natural Resources at the European Union Delegation in Tanzania, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s agricultural sector through the Global Gateway initiative, which aims to enhance sustainable infrastructure, boost trade, and foster regional cooperation.
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