DODOMA: TANZANIA, and the Netherlands have pledged to strengthen cooperation in the use of digital systems for agricultural services and crop trade.
This was reached in a discussion between Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli, and a delegation led by an expert from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety, Lex Morret in Dodoma.
During their discussions, the leaders also agreed to cooperate in the building of the capacity of officials managing the Agricultural Trade Management Information System (ATMIS), which is being upgraded into the e-Kilimo system.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Morret noted that nearly 30 percent of all agricultural produce entering Europe transits through the Netherlands, underscoring the need for the country to ensure that its trading partners, including Tanzania, operate robust, secure systems that meet international standards.
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Additionally, he said that his government is ready to support Tanzania in the use of electronic signatures through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as in the establishment and use of the e-Phyto system in line with the guidelines of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Tanzania’s PS, thanked the Netherlands government for its readiness to continue strengthening cooperation with Tanzania in various development sectors, including agriculture, noting that the Ministry of Agriculture is prepared to receive such support to enhance digital systems and agricultural trade for the benefit of farmers and the nation at large.