Why TZ calls for plant health to boost food safety

THE Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and partners are joining forces to strengthen plant health services to enhance food safety in the country. Right!

The planning workshop that has been on as from 16th to 19th May 2023 in Morogoro with participants from strategic ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture Tanzania Mainland, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock of Zanzibar, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Health, Prime Minister's Office and President of the Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) have shown that the workshop has a meaning.

Others include academic institutions, national parastatals, departments and agencies, and development partners. The guest of honor Dr Hussein Mohamed Omar, Deputy the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, were on board.

"The project "Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety" has now been operational for one year and 6 months. So far there have been many achievements to be noted that include; a successful launch of the action, completion of the Plant Health Regulations, completed development of the Laboratory Information Management System, the integration of ATMIS to the ePhyto HUB and the EU's Trade Control and Export System (TRACES) which will cater for the smooth electronic exchange of Phytosanitary Certificates between Tanzania and the trading partners," said Dr. Hussein Mohamed Omar, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, who inaugurated the workshop on plant health and food safety control in Morogoro.

"Other achievements include the procurement of a total of 19 motorbikes, 7 cars, and 20 drones fitted with multispectral cameras to strengthen surveillance."

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tanzania and the East African Community is a key factor in the relations between the European Union (EU) and Tanzania as well as the East African Community (EAC).

The EU is a longstanding partner of Tanzania in sustainable agriculture, food, and nutrition security. Cooperation over the last decade has focused on key commodities which offer opportunities for pro-poor trade at the national, regional, and continental levels. This includes support to Strengthening Plant Health Services to enhance food safety.

That aside, 20 plant Health Inspectors have been trained in drone piloting. To improve diagnostic capacity, equipment for minilabs has been procured. A bill of quantities and architectural drawings for the rehabilitation of minilabs at border posts and central labs has also been completed.

Achieving these targets is coming at the right time to cement a national plant health strategic plan that will transform into the national priority of the agenda 10/30 with a target of the agriculture sector to grow at an annual average of 6.0 per cent instead of 4.4 per cent.

The workshop's main objective is to improve efficacy in operational and management processes and procedures required for the successful implementation of plant health and food safety control in the country.

Here, the participants will assess the progress of a project launched in 2021 to promote plant health in Tanzania, identify challenges to be addressed and opportunities for improvement

"Since the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock of Zanzibar recognises that healthy plants are vital to human and animal health, it is going to do everything possible to make sure that food safety is improved by building the capacity of our plant health inspectors at export and import posts," said Dr Omar A. Amir, Deputy Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock of Zanzibar, who also participated in the event.

The Plant Health project is funded by the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Government of Tanzania at a total value of EUR 10 million. Equally, it seeks to build the institutional and human capacity of the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to increase access to safe and quality agricultural produce for national and international markets. Specifically, the project aims to strengthen the national system of official controls for the import and export of agricultural products and to ensure that the National Plant Health Services make use of a reliable surveillance and plant protection system.

The EU's commitment to supporting food safety and security is demonstrated here today, especially at a time when access to safe and quality food and agricultural products has become critical.

"This workshop is an important step in strengthening quality food systems in the country, accessible for local consumption and for exports," said Mr Cedric Merel the Head of EU Cooperation in Tanzania

The project aims to engage governments and donors in plant health activities, including research, outreach, and capacity building for national plant protection organisations to implement the required standards. In addition, the initiative seeks to increase awareness among donors, policymakers, the general public, the media, and other key stakeholders on the importance of plant health and the impact of plant pests on the environment and biodiversity.

‘’FAO remains keen and committed to its spirit in building partnerships and promoting inclusivity as it strives for better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life while leaving no one behind" said Tipo Nyabenyi FAO Country Representative in Tanzania.