Completion of Triple Helix Horticulture Collaboration Project
The horticulture sector in Tanzania is growing rapidly, with an annual average growth rate of 11%, and is expected to reach a value of US$1.85 billion by next year. Implementing Smart Farming techniques can increase horticulture production by at least 35%, decrease pesticide and mineral usage by 35% per yield, and enhance the predictability of production by 35%, while also providing users with sustainable insights and lessons. However, it is noteworthy that the horticulture sector in Tanzania is more focused on production than value addition.
There is a need for the agriculture industry in Tanzania to appeal to the younger generation of farmers by prioritizing Smart Farming, which can be simply defined as the utilization of modern technology and innovative methods to improve the quality and quantity of produce, as well as focusing on business, marketing, and commercialization. One of the ways to achieve this is by modernizing the horticulture Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in Tanzania.
As we all know, the Orange Knowledge Programme is a Dutch initiative that aims to contribute to sustainable economic development in partner countries by providing scholarships and institutional support. Since its inception in 2017, the programme has awarded over 200 scholarships for short courses and master's degrees to Tanzanian professionals. The programme has also invested 4 million Euros in tailor-made programs and a collaborative institutional project.
In an effort to enhance the horticulture value chain in Tanzania, the Netherlands through the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) an institutional collaboration project "Strengthening skills and training capacity in the horticulture sector" granted Tanzania funding to implement this project by working with three Diploma-level horticultural TVET colleges throughout the country namely Horti-tengeru in Arusha, MATI Uyole in Mbeya, and Mahinya in Ruvuma with the Maastricht School of Management and NACTEVET as the lead institutions. Horti-tengeru , MATI Uyole, and Mahinya received special training to enhance the horticulture value chain in Tanzania.
The Triple Helix concept
Through this collaboration project, the Triple Helix concept was introduced, enabling collaboration between the training providers, industry, and government to enhance training quality. The embassy extends its appreciation to SAGCOT, Profyta, and SUGECO for their contributions to hands-on training and implementing this concept which contributed to the project’s successful accomplishment its objectives, which includes establishing connections between horticultural firms and colleges, procuring vehicles and laptops, setting up greenhouses, developing and enhancing open fields, providing exposure training, and conducting training on labor market analysis and gender issues.
Overall, the project focused on building the capacity of these training institutions in horticulture skills. It is important to note that inclusion of women and disadvantaged groups, labour market relevance and public-private partnerships (Tanzania-Dutch) were key elements of the project approach.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and this is the case of this project where on March 17th, the Ambassador attended the closing ceremony together with the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Franklin J. Rwezimula as the Guest of Honour.
The project's success is reflected in the increased number of graduates in horticulture from the three institutions, who are now better equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to the growth and development of the horticulture sector in Tanzania. The project has also contributed to the development of partnerships between the institutions and the private sector, leading to increased opportunities for graduates in the sector.
Tanzania continues to prioritize technical and vocational education and training as a means of addressing youth unemployment and promoting economic growth in the country and the Netherlands is committed to continuing to support technical and vocational education in Tanzania through the Orange Knowledge Programme and other initiatives.
The Embassy provides regular updates on developments in the agriculture sector. To receive the updates follow us on our twitter account @NLAgriTanzania , Netherlands in Tanzania (@netherlandsintanzania) • Instagram photos and videos and subscribe to our newsletter by sending an email to dar-lnv@minbuza.nl.