WFP, COSTECH commit to making Tanzania an agriculture and food systems innovation hub in the region.

Dar es Salaam – The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 11, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, marking a significant milestone in fostering creativity and promoting local agricultural innovations in Tanzania. With a budget of USD 80,000, this partnership is set to enhance agricultural productivity, improve food security, and uplift livelihoods in Tanzania over the next three years, positioning the country as a key agriculture and food systems innovation hub in the region.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, WFP Country Director and Representative Ms Sarah Gordon-Gibson said this collaboration aims to address pressing challenges like food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change by harnessing science, technology, and innovations.

“The collaboration between WFP and COSTECH reflects our shared vision and commitment to nurturing and promoting innovations, especially in agriculture and food systems,” she said and added: “As we embark on this transformative journey, we believe that innovation in agriculture and food systems is a powerful catalyst for change. Creating a conducive environment for innovation will be crucial in achieving food security for all, and positioning Tanzania as a food basket for Africa and beyond.”

The Director General of COSTECH, Dr Amos Nungu, thanked WFP for its support and emphasised the need to support grassroots innovators by creating a conducive environment for innovation. He acknowledged WFP’s commitment to fostering agriculture and food systems innovations in Tanzania. Moreover, he explained that COSTECH has been nurturing innovators through its incubation programme (DTBi), fostering a vibrant ecosystem of creativity where groundbreaking ideas are actualised.

The agreement includes provisions for innovation research, prototyping, piloting, scaling up local solutions, incubation support, technology transfer, cluster support, and promoting grassroots innovations. Various innovators were also present at the ceremony, showcasing how innovation can create impactful solutions that transform lives.