Highlights from the 2025 KRTA Strategic Forum

From Vision to Action: Highlights from the 2025 KRTA Strategic Forum

"If Tanzania can feed Africa, it can feed the world."

These bold words from keynote speaker Mr. Geoffrey Kirenga captured the energy and urgency of this year’s Kilimo RoundTable Africa (KRTA) Strategic Forum, co-hosted with Uchumi Institute in Dar es Salaam.

Held in March 2025, this landmark gathering brought together over 100 changemakers—from youth agripreneurs and farmer organizations to policymakers, researchers, and financiers—to map out a shared vision for agricultural transformation. At the heart of it all was a simple but powerful commitment: building a data-driven, inclusive, and future-ready food system.

 Uchumi Institute: Grounding Policy in Data and Grassroots Realities

Uchumi Institute played a central role in shaping the dialogue. Our message was clear:

"Without hard data, we cannot make smart investments. Without research, we cannot design policies that empower real farmers — not just theoretical ones."
We led discussions on how evidence must translate into market access, land security, fair input pricing, and true empowerment for rural communities. Our partnership with KRTA—formalized through an MoU during this forum—signals a long-term commitment to data-informed advocacy, youth engagement, and grassroots policy transformation.

What the Participants Said: Voices That Matter

The forum wasn’t just about policy papers—it was about people. Over 100 participants shared reflections on what it will take for Tanzania to truly feed itself and the continent.

"If Tanzania wants to actually feed Africa, we must stop romanticizing agriculture and start treating it like infrastructure."
— Servas Ngoi, SUGECO
"We must close the gap between research and real farm practice."
— Christian Mushi, AMETA Tanzania
"Startups that innovate solutions for agriculture should be empowered."
— Selestine Mushi, Tanzania Youth Alliance for Food Systems
"Investments must go beyond cash crops… maize, rice, and beans should receive equal support."
— Tabitha Kintingu, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries

These reflections, drawn from youth, women-led enterprises, cooperatives, and private investors, reflect a growing demand for practical tools, not just promises.

 
Key Forum Takeaways
✔ Mechanization and cold chain investment are no longer optional — they are essential.
✔ Youth must lead—with land, finance, and startup support.
✔ Post-harvest losses can be reduced with storage, traceability, and agro-processing near farms.
✔ Policy consistency and regional market integration are needed to unlock trade potential.
✔ Food safety isn’t just for export—it's a public health issue at home.
✔ Private sector readiness is high, but enabling infrastructure and policy must catch up.

 
The Road Ahead

The 2025 Strategic Forum was just the beginning. As Uchumi Institute and KRTA roll out follow-up activities, including regional workshops and joint policy briefs, we are keeping one goal in mind: translating strategy into action—especially for those at the grassroots.

Want to be part of the movement?
👉 Join our mailing list to stay informed.
📸 Explore event photos & videos
📝 Read our upcoming Forum Policy Brief for government and development partners.

 
Together, we’re not just feeding Africa—we’re redefining how.