Three years after its establishment in 2023, the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) says it has made progress in regulating trade in 129 crops, expanding market access and improving coordination across Tanzania’s agricultural value chain.
An interview with Mwananchi Communications Limited Managing Director, Rosalynn Mworia, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli, COPRA Board Chairperson, Prof Sifuni Mchome and Director General Irene Mlola highlighted the authority’s achievements and priorities.
Mr Mweli said COPRA was established to address gaps in the coordination of agricultural trade and help farmers access reliable markets. ‘After addressing challenges in agricultural trade, we realised that we lacked a system for coordination. COPRA regulates 129 crops,’ he said.
Expanding international markets
The government says COPRA has helped open 15 markets in different countries, including India and China, creating opportunities for farmers and traders to sell their produce abroad.
Mr Mweli cited banana exports to South Africa, avocado exports reaching 30,000 tonnes and maize sales exceeding 15,000 tonnes as examples of the opportunities available.
‘Our farmers are currently selling large quantities of bananas in South Africa. COPRA’s role is therefore to establish systems that enable our farmers to access the opportunities they deserve,’ he said.
The government is also working towards enabling online maize trading, including sales to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to connect producers with buyers and simplify transactions.
‘Our current strategy is to ensure that by next year, we can sell maize to DRC and other markets through online platforms,’ Mr Mweli said.
Building regulatory systems
Prof Mchome said COPRA’s initial priority was to establish operational systems, regulations and procedures, while recruiting qualified staff to carry out its mandate.
He said the authority had also engaged farmers, traders, institutions and international stakeholders to strengthen links between production, processing and consumption.
‘This is what ensures food security. When these three links do not communicate, challenges arise,’ he said. He added that better coordination could help align farmers’ output with market demand, while clear regulations would support more organised crop trading.
Digital systems and efficiency
Ms Mlola, who assumed office on October 1, 2023, said the authority had to build its capacity to meet public expectations and implement the Food Security Act of 2009.
She credited cooperation with the government, other institutions, the board and the private sector for supporting COPRA’s development.
The authority initially developed dedicated systems for six crops, including pigeon peas, sesame, lentils and soybeans, before introducing the COPRA Management Information System (COPRA MIS).
The digital platform supports warehouse registration, quality monitoring and the identification of consignments. Warehouse operators have also been trained to use the system.
Ms Mlola said COPRA monitors market prices and oversees auction prices to help protect the value of farmers’ produce.
Its five-year plan also focuses on increasing production and promoting the use of quality seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.
Targets for agricultural growth
Mr Mweli said farmers needed timely access to inputs and other services to increase production and benefit from expanding markets.
‘Farmers work very hard. Tanzanians are not lazy; they simply need support to access fertilisers and seeds on time so they can increase production,’ he said.
The government aims to increase crop export earnings to $5 billion by 2030 as part of its broader economic ambitions towards 2050.
Ms Mlola urged farmers and other stakeholders to work with COPRA, saying its regulatory framework was intended to support sustainable growth across the sector.
She said the authority would continue working to improve access to inputs, markets and services covering production, storage, transport and crop trading in Tanzania and internationally.