THE Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) has lauded policy initiatives during the three years of the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan especially for providing tax relief on sorting, grading and packing technology for fruits and vegetables.

Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, the TAHA chief executive officer, told a press conference here at the weekend that the government took up commendable initiatives in providing generous and strategic support to the horticulture sub-sector.

This has effectively propelled the packing capacity by over tenfold, thereby bolstering productivity and ensuring the preservation of produce at an unprecedented rate, she stated.

“The combined impact of these initiatives not only augments storage capabilities but also lays a robust foundation for the sustained growth of the horticultural industry, positioning it as a key player in driving economic development and ensuring food security,” the business leader declared.

The government exempted customs and value added tax (VAT) on imported agricultural implements and technologies applied in the sector, ranging from tractors to irrigation equipment and spare parts, she said.

Equally VAT exempted are agricultural inputs like seeds, seedlings, cuttings, fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators and biological agents, she elaborated.

“Packaging materials for agricultural seeds were granted one-year zero duty remission, curtailing the 25 per cent duty imposed earlier, for raw materials in manufacturing corrugated boxes for exporting horticultural products,” she stated, noting that packaging materials for export products also exempted from import duty.

The government has encouraged partnerships between government agencies, research institutions and private enterprises, permitting significant investments in research and development within the horticulture industry.

This would enable farmers to acquire high-yield, disease-resistant crops and elevate overall productivity in the sector, she emphasised, hailing whar she said was a paradigm shift towards environmentally friendly farming techniques.

This includes organic farming and water-conservation initiatives to ensure the longevity of horticulture produce and position the country as a global leader in responsible agriculture, she asserted.

The government has invested in efforts to empower smallholder farmers through targeted financial support, training programmes and access to modern agricultural technologies in a bid to increase their yields and participate in the larger economic landscape, she said.

The export of avocado alone soared to unprecedented heights during the period with Tanzania emerging as one of the best performers in avocado exports across the globe, the CEO noted..

 President Samia’s state visits opened the new markets for the ‘green golden; export crop namely to China, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa and of late, the Nordic countries.

“With a strategic and forward-thinking approach, the president’s diplomatic virtues have propelled avocado exports to new heights, ushering in a wave of prosperity for growers, exporters and the broader horticulture community,” she added.