The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) recently announced significant revenue growth attributed to strategic interventions and the Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety (STREPHIT) project. Prof. Joseph Ndunguru, Director General of TPHPA, highlighted that internal revenue soared in the 2023/2024 financial year, surpassing the TZS 6.4 billion annual target within just three months (July–September 2023). By May 2024, collections had reached approximately TZS 19 billion, allowing TPHPA to pay a TZS 3.6 billion dividend to the government—a 371.9% increase from the initial TZS 968 million projection.
Dr. Beningus Ngowi, Head of TPHPA’s Plant Biosecurity Department, emphasised that the Plant Health Biosafety Intelligence Unit (PHBIU) has been instrumental in this financial success. The unit’s automation of surveillance activities allows field data to be recorded and transmitted within a day, facilitating timely analysis and decision-making. This capability has enhanced the precision, reliability, and speed of information, significantly strengthening Tanzania’s agricultural trade positioning.
Streamlined Application Process for Import and Export Permits through ATMIS and PHBI Unit Integration
The PHBI unit is integrated with the Agricultural Trade Management Information System (ATMIS), an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance global market access for Tanzanian agricultural products. ATMIS enables exporters and importers to apply online for phytosanitary certificates, which contain essential information required by international buyers. “Currently, we are finalising an Avocado Manual to support farmers in meeting international standards, with similar manuals planned for other crops,” shared Twaha Balali of the PHBI Unit.
To facilitate market access further, the unit analyses data on crop imports and exports, such as avocado export data, and shares insights in accessible formats for farmers, exporters, and policymakers. Simplified application processes for trade permits have contributed to TPHPA’s impressive revenue performance, reflecting these initiatives’ impact.
Heri Kateme, an inspection officer at Dar es Salaam’s Kurasini border post, noted that before the PHBI Unit’s establishment, tracking exports and certificate records was challenging. “Now, exporters can easily register and obtain permits online, a process that previously required in-person visits and took up to two months,” he explained.
Mussa Chidinda, Acting Manager of Plant Health Management at TPHPA, added that the ATMIS and PHBIU integration has created an e-office system. Exporters from Tanzania and other countries, including Israel and Kenya, can now apply for and receive permits electronically within a day.
PHBI Unit: The “Brain” of the Ministry of Agriculture
The STREPHIT project has equipped the PHBI Unit with comprehensive skills training, enabling technical experts to process data for decision-making and trend analysis. Twaha Balali explained that before the unit’s establishment, TPHPA relied heavily on external sources for data. “Now, we can access and provide data on daily, weekly, or customised timelines, even outside of regular working hours.” A reliable power supply supports the unit’s 24/7 operations, ensuring consistent and efficient service delivery.
The PHBI Unit is set to incorporate drone technology to capture multispectral farm images, providing scientific data to aid decision-making. “The unit essentially functions as the ‘brain’ of the Ministry of Agriculture,” Balali noted.
With its enhanced capabilities, TPHPA can now share detailed information about farms and crops with international buyers, verifying Tanzanian exports. This confidence recently facilitated the opening of over 14 international markets for eight priority crops at an event held on 18th September in Dodoma. These new markets are projected to generate a minimum of USD 3.8 million in agricultural revenue.
Addressing Ongoing Challenges with STREPHIT and TPHPA Initiatives
Despite significant achievements, the PHBI Unit still faces operational challenges, particularly in integrating drone-based surveillance into its core functions. “The unit currently struggles to thoroughly analyse images captured by drones, which limits our ability to provide data that supports critical decision-making for pest and disease management,” Dr. Beningus explained. Enhanced connectivity across systems and TPHPA’s border post operations remains a priority, and STREPHIT and TPHPA are actively working to resolve these issues.
Through ongoing collaboration, technological advancement, and capacity-building, TPHPA is poised to continue driving growth in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, boosting export revenues and supporting national food safety and security.