Zanzibar Receives Crucial Equipment to Enhance Plant Health and Food Safety
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, held a symbolic handover ceremony of crucial equipment to the Zanzibar Plant Protection Division.
The equipment which includes surveillance drones, laboratory facilities, and ICT equipment—is part of the "Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety (STREPHIT)" project funded by the EU through a contribution agreement with FAO and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. The project aims to strengthen Tanzania’s capacity to safeguard plant health, improve food safety standards, and promote agricultural sustainability for domestic and international markets.
The event was graced by Honourable Shamata Shaame Khamis, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock, who expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts with the EU and FAO. He stated, “The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock, is well-positioned to ensure agricultural produce are fully protected for the betterment of both local and international markets. We are pleased with these collaborative efforts with partners like the EU and FAO in this project.”
Lamine Diallo, representing the EU Delegation to Tanzania, also spoke at the event saying, “The EU is fully committed to supporting the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in its essential initiatives to ensure the protection of its agricultural products and adherence to international standards. Today's event signifies this commitment, and we pledge to continue supporting these efforts.”
Nyabenyi Tipo, FAO Tanzania Country Representative, represented by Monday Ahonsi, Technical Adviser, remarked, “The symbolic handover event signifies a milestone in our collaborative efforts to enhance the agricultural landscape in Tanzania. It reflects our commitment to fostering sustainable practices, ensuring food safety, and fortifying the nation's position in the global agricultural arena.”
Project Background Information:
Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety (STREPHIT) is a 38-month project addressing administrative and technical constraints concerning plant health that impede agricultural trade and jeopardize food security and safety. The project's overall budget is 10.6 million EUR (approximately 28 billion TZS), with the EU contributing EUR 10 million, FAO providing 350,000 EUR, and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania contributing 250,000 EUR. Implemented across Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, the project aims to achieve the following results:
v The plant protection division and TPHPA fulfil mandates in accordance with international standards.
v Improved capacity of plant health inspectors at export and import posts.
v Operational detection and traceability systems.
v Strengthened sampling and transmission procedures for export products.
v Enhanced skills and equipment for field plant protection and surveillance service providers.
v Development of modern and innovative data collection and transfer practices.
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About FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO is the implementing agency of the STREPHIT project.
About the European Union: The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Victor Mapile
FAO Tanzania
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Kelvin Mutagwaba
www.eeas.europa.eu/tanzania/
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