NANENANE EXPO 2024 : Pinnacle of success for farmers, livestock stakeholders
DODOMA: THE annual ‘Nanenane’ agricultural week, a major event in Dodoma Region, has become a landmark celebration of the significant strides made by farmers and livestock stakeholders.
This year’s event, held from August 1st to 8th, 2024, with the theme “Choose Good Leaders for Local Government for Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries,” highlighted the remarkable advancements and innovations in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The Nanenane Expo, a crucial platform for showcasing agricultural achievements, saw a remarkable turnout and demonstrated the positive impact of innovative technologies and effective policies.
Minister for Agriculture Hussein Bashe also unveiled plans for a 40bn/-investment in an ultramodern agricultural city at the Nanenane grounds.
“This investment underscores the government’s commitment to providing high-quality facilities for future Nanenane exhibitions and ensuring they meet international standards,” Mr Bashe said.
The facility will include internal roads, a perimeter wall, modern exhibition areas, conference halls, water systems, demonstration farms and specialised centres for agricultural and livestock technology dissemination.
The Expo, hosted at the Nanenane grounds in Nzuguni on the outskirts of Dodoma Capital City, attracted over 524 exhibitors from various public and private institutions, alongside more than 300 entrepreneurs involved in diverse businesses.
The event was not only a national success but also gained international recognition, marking a pinnacle of success for the agricultural community.
The shift of the event’s venue from Mbeya to Dodoma was met with skepticism from some quarters. Critics argued that Dodoma, a semi-arid region, might not be the ideal location for such a significant agricultural event.
Despite these concerns, the Nanenane Expo 2024 proved to be a resounding success, surpassing expectations and demonstrating the event’s ability to thrive in new environments.
The event showcased a wide range of agricultural, livestock and fisheries innovations, with participants including crops, livestock, fisheries producers and processors, agricultural input suppliers, machinery manufacturers and various governmental and non-governmental institutions. The Expo also featured a robust display of social services and business opportunities.
The concurrent launch of the Morogoro-Dodoma electric train service on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line facilitated easier travel to the Expo, further enhancing its success.
The new rail service-connected Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma regions, allowing attendees from these areas to travel quickly and efficiently. This, combined with other transportation options like flights, ensured that the Expo was accessible to a broad audience.
Local businesses also reaped significant benefits from the Expo. Food and beverage vendors experienced a surge in business, with hotel and guest house owners surpassing their accommodation capacities.
ALSO READ: Nanenane, celebrating Tanzania’s agricultural progress
Patrick James, an 83-year-old resident of Ihumwa, Dodoma, praised the event’s organisation:
“I have been visiting Nanenane exhibitions here for many years now, but this is the first time I have witnessed such a well-organised and attractive exhibition.”
This increased demand drove up regional revenue and boosted local businesses. Transportation operators, including bodaboda and commuter buses, were kept busy facilitating travel to and from the event, which positively impacted fuel refill stations as well.
Dodoma, known for its goat and cattle population, saw an influx of attendees eager to purchase ‘nyama choma’ from open-air booths set up at the Nanenane grounds.
Similarly, Paul Eliamini, a bodaboda driver from Nkuhungu, noted the economic benefits of the event, stating, “I normally used to earn between 15,000/- and 20,000/- per day, but the exhibition enabled me to earn between 30,000/- and 50,000/- per day.
“I think the government should continue to host this event here to help us earn more.”
The Expo also saw significant participation from cooking gas cylinder companies. In support of the government’s vision to reduce reliance on environmentally harmful charcoal and firewood, these companies offered gas cylinders at half-price.
Agricom Africa, a leading agro machinery company, announced plans to establish a multibillion-dollar farming implements assembly plant at the Nanenane grounds.
In addition, Agricom Africa Limited donated various modern agricultural tools worth 44.63bn/- to the government, further supporting the sector.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced at farmer’s day that Dodoma will host the Nanenane Expo for the next three years, a decision welcomed by regional leaders and stakeholders.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule expressed gratitude for the support and affirmed the region’s readiness to continue hosting the event in the future.
She also praised the government’s investment in irrigation projects, noting that over 1.0bn/- had been allocated to improve irrigation in the region.
“This development has significantly mitigated the effects of drought, benefiting the agricultural sector and its large workforce,” she said.
Overall, the Nanenane Agricultural International Expo 2024 in Dodoma was a significant milestone, showcasing the successful execution of strategic plans and the positive impact of innovative policies on the agricultural sector. The event not only highlighted advancements in agriculture, livestock and fisheries but also contributed to regional economic growth and strengthened global partnerships.
