Dar es Salaam, March 24 -- MBEYA: THE Mbeya Food Park was a fitting place to mark the closure of AGRI-CONNECT, the European Unions most ambitious agricultural programme in the Southern Highlands and Zanzibar. This state-of-the-art facility has significantly boosted agro-processing and market access for small businesses.

Before its establishment, many small-scale producers and agripreneurs faced challenges in reaching markets, improving product quality, and securing financial support. Today, they stand as proof of what opportunity, investment, and the right support can achieve.

Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzanias economy, employing over 65% of the population and contributing nearly 30% to the GDP. Yet, for decades, smallholder farme...