In his 2024/2025 Budget Speech, Hon. Hussein Bashe, Minister of Agriculture, announced that the Ministry would continue efforts to open new markets and increase export revenues from USD 2.3 billion to USD 3 billion by the end of 2025. This target will be pursued by refining production strategies and enhancing trade conditions to create a favourable environment for crop exports. A central component of this strategy is the Plant Health and Biosafety Intelligence (PHBI) Unit of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA). This advanced unit, equipped with cutting-edge technology, collects and processes vital data to ensure Tanzanian crops meet international standards for import and export.
The PHBI Unit was established under the Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety (STREPHIT) project, a four-year initiative implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with and funded by the European Union (EU). The TPHPA was founded by Act No. 04 of 2020 in compliance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards, to which Tanzania has been a signatory since 2005. The TPHPA consolidated the Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Health Section and the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) to streamline coordination, optimize resources, and eliminate redundant roles, enhancing efficiency in service delivery.
STREPHIT’s Role in Enhancing Tanzania’s Agricultural Export Potential through the PHBI Unit
Discussing STREPHIT’s contributions to the PHBI Unit and TPHPA’s mandate, Prof. Joseph Ndunguru, General Director of TPHPA, highlighted the four-year, EUR 10.6 million project’s significant impact. Key achievements include establishing the PHBI Unit, acquiring advanced surveillance equipment, setting up accredited plant health laboratories, training staff, and rehabilitating border post mini-labs.
These initiatives have increased productivity and enhanced TPHPA’s ability to manage emerging pests and diseases such as locusts, quelea birds, and rats. Prof. Ndunguru emphasised that the PHBI Unit has strengthened TPHPA’s role as Tanzania’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) by consolidating data from border posts and delivering actionable insights. All agricultural products crossing Tanzanian borders now require phytosanitary certification, with data centralised at the PHBI Unit, which uses this information to analyse trade trends and support informed decision-making.
“For instance, we can track which crops were traded at particular times, along with volumes and prices at different border points. This helps Tanzanian exporters stay informed of market trends, supporting policymakers in crafting relevant policies,” explained Prof. Ndunguru.
Enhanced Traceability System through the PHBI Unit
The PHBI Unit has also vastly improved TPHPA’s inspection processes, allowing for rapid pest detection in crops, traceability of crop origins, and swift implementation of mitigation measures. “The PHBIU has enabled us to establish a traceability system that was previously absent. Despite ongoing challenges, we are now better positioned than before, and the outlook is promising,” commented Dr. Ngowi, a TPHPA official.
Ms. Aureria Mahundi, a PHBI Unit officer, noted the unit’s essential role in safeguarding Tanzania from invasive pests entering at borders. Twaha Balali, another PHBI Unit officer, elaborated on how the unit prevents the introduction of foreign pests by conducting horizon scanning, using specialised tools to detect potential threats in imported and exported crops. This enables the PHBI Unit to implement prompt mitigation measures, such as intercepting contaminated consignments or addressing existing pest issues.
Currently, a significant number of farmers and their farms are registered within the system, allowing TPHPA to communicate directly and address potential issues efficiently. Registered farmers’ shipments are now equipped with QR codes, which contain details about the farmer and their farm, thus ensuring traceability. This system allows TPHPA to verify that exports comply with international standards and those farmers and exporters are adhering to prescribed standards.
To protect Tanzania from imported pests and diseases, the PHBI Unit conducts Pest Risk Analysis (PRA). Before the unit’s establishment, TPHPA lacked the capacity to thoroughly assess the risks associated with imported crops. The PHBI Unit now uses advanced horizon scanning to detect and mitigate potential threats. “For instance, before establishing this unit, harmful pests affecting mangoes entered from abroad, which have since become widespread here. Similarly, this March, we intercepted and destroyed 10 tonnes of imported avocado that did not meet market specifications,” reported Twaha Balali.
The PHBI Unit’s advancements have bolstered Tanzania’s agricultural export capacity, offering greater transparency and enhancing trust with international markets.
Supporting Farmers and Exporters with Market Information
With access to reliable market data, the PHBI Unit now provides advisory services to farmers and exporters, guiding them on emerging opportunities for specific crops. Previously, market information was often based on informal sources, but the PHBI Unit now offers data-backed advice, helping farmers avoid losses by selecting viable markets for their produce. “We are seeing more farmers seeking information on markets for the crops they are growing or planning to grow,” stated Ms. Aureria Mahundi. This allows the unit to offer recommendations aligned with crop specifications and current market trends.
With its effective execution of mandates through the PHBI Unit and other essential departments, TPHPA is contributing substantially to the Ministry of Agriculture’s goals and supporting the Tanzanian government’s broader objectives for agricultural growth and economic development.