Arusha. Tanzania’s horticulture sector could benefit from increased investment in Dutch agricultural technology, improved seeds and modern irrigation systems, in a move expected to boost crop productivity, create jobs and strengthen access to international markets.
The Netherlands says combining its agricultural expertise and technology with Tanzania’s natural resources could unlock significant opportunities for farmers and businesses operating in the horticulture value chain.
Dutch Ambassador to Tanzania Marjo Crompvoets said this on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during the HortiLogistica Africa 2026 international horticulture investment and trade forum at the TGT grounds in Arusha.
She said the two countries could build on existing cooperation in seed production, greenhouse farming, irrigation, post-harvest storage and cold-chain logistics to improve the competitiveness of Tanzania’s agricultural products.
‘The resources available in Tanzania, when combined with Dutch technology and expertise, can strengthen agricultural production, create jobs and enable Tanzanian farmers to benefit from international markets,’ she said.
Ms Crompvoets said Dutch companies had maintained a longstanding presence in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, working alongside local farmers and businesses.
She added that their investments had contributed to employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
The ambassador said the Dutch Embassy was ready to support companies from the Netherlands seeking to invest in Tanzania by connecting them with government institutions, business networks and companies already operating in the country.
She described horticultural cooperation between the two countries as strategically important, noting that both nations shared ambitions of creating jobs, increasing export earnings and improving access to quality food.
‘We can work together to produce high-quality products that can access high-value markets. I believe this will benefit both countries,’ she said.
Dutch Embassy Agricultural Counsellor Yvonne Laarhoven said the Netherlands’ agricultural success was driven by knowledge, research, technology and collaboration among stakeholders rather than the size of individual companies.
She explained that the Dutch agricultural model brings together research institutions, businesses and government to ensure research findings are translated into practical solutions and applied on farms.
This approach, she said, accelerates innovation and improves productivity across the agricultural value chain.
Ms Laarhoven noted that Tanzania had important resources for developing its horticulture industry, including adequate sunshine, water, arable land and a large pool of educated young people seeking employment.
‘By connecting these resources and ensuring that innovation and technology are applied on farms, I believe the Dutch and Tanzanian systems can work together and achieve significant results,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Enza Zaden Export B.V. Product Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, John Van Brussel, said the Dutch seed company saw considerable potential for expanding the use of hybrid vegetable seeds in Tanzania.
He said although the market for hybrid seeds was not yet fully developed, their adoption had increased over the past five to 10 years, particularly in tomato production, with growing use also recorded in onions and sweet peppers.
‘We want to be part of that journey of expanding the use of hybrid seeds and developing Tanzania’s agricultural sector,’ he said.