Importance of agriculture to the economy
Agriculture is the predominant sector of the Tanzanian economy. In 1992 it contributed 62% of the GDP and employed 79.8% of the labour force. The major cash crops produced by subsistence farmers are coffee (20.3% of export earnings), cotton (18.7% of export earnings), tobacco and cashew nuts. Sisal and tea are grown on large estates. Farmers have also been encouraged to produce essential food crops, especially cassava and maize. Subsistence farmers produce a large proportion of the agricultural output, which accounts for 75% of agricultural export earnings and 80% of grain marketing. One of the major economic objectives of Tanzania is to increase self-sufficiency in food.
Sectoral Contributions to GDP and Employment, 1991
Source: Europa World Yearbook, 1994
