Summary
The proposed centre is expected to become a regional model for integrated crop and livestock production, promoting modern farming technologies, climate-smart agriculture, improved livestock breeding, feed production, irrigation systems and value addition.
By Valentine Oforo/ Dar es Salaam
TANZANIA and Egypt have strengthened their long-standing bilateral relations after the Government of Egypt pledged to support major investments in Tanzania’s agriculture, livestock and irrigation sectors, including the transformation of the National Ranching Company (NARCO) Ruvu Ranch into a modern regional agro-pastoral hub.
The commitment was announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan this afternoon, Saturday 18, shortly after holding high-level bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who arrived in Tanzania for an official State Visit aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing the media after the talks, President Samia said the discussions focused on expanding collaboration in strategic sectors that are critical to Tanzania’s economic transformation, particularly agriculture, livestock development, irrigation, water resources, health, transport and investment.
She said one of the flagship projects agreed upon is the establishment of a state-of-the-art, cloud-connected agricultural and livestock development centre that will utilise modern digital technologies to improve productivity, research, training and extension services.
“President El-Sisi expressed Egypt’s strong commitment to investing in a modern agro-farming centre, and we have agreed to earmark NARCO’s Ruvu Ranch as the proposed site for this strategic project,” President Samia said.
The proposed centre is expected to become a regional model for integrated crop and livestock production, promoting modern farming technologies, climate-smart agriculture, improved livestock breeding, feed production, irrigation systems and value addition.
President Samia said Egypt will also support Tanzania in modernising irrigation infrastructure by sharing advanced technologies and technical expertise to increase agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
She noted that enhanced irrigation is essential for reducing the impact of climate change and ensuring year-round agricultural production across the country.
The State Visit was also marked by the signing of several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) covering cooperation in agriculture, water resources, health, transport and other strategic sectors, laying a foundation for expanded economic and technical collaboration.
President El-Sisi was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior government officials and a business mission representing Egyptian companies interested in exploring investment opportunities in Tanzania.
The Egyptian business delegation held a business forum with their Tanzanian counterparts to identify potential partnerships in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, trade and other productive sectors.
The agreements are expected to attract new investments, promote technology transfer, create employment opportunities and strengthen trade between the two African nations.
The latest commitments reflect Tanzania’s continued efforts under President Samia’s administration to attract strategic foreign investment that supports industrialisation, agricultural transformation and sustainable economic growth while reinforcing the strong diplomatic ties between Tanzania and Egypt.
