100Africa.com Correspondent
Dateline: NJOMBE, Tanzania
In the cool, rolling highlands of Njombe, a region now known as Tanzania’s avocado capital, the story of the country’s future is being written. A decade ago, a smallholder farmer here might have struggled with unpredictable rains, acidic soil, and little access to markets beyond the local village. Today, that same farmer is likely part of a cooperative using climate-resilient seeds, benefiting from new irrigation systems, and sending their produce to discerning consumers in Mumbai, Amsterdam, and Shanghai.
This is not a story of isolated luck. It is the tangible result of one of Africa’s most successful and ambitious agricultural development models: the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT). After a decade of spectacular success, this regional experiment is now being adopted as national doctrine, a move that could redefine Tanzania’s economy and offer a powerful blueprint for food security across the continent.
The Anatomy of a Success Story
Launched in 2011 from discussions at the World Economic Forum, SAGCOT was a grand public-private experiment. The premise was simple but powerful: the government would invest heavily in “de-risking” agriculture by building the foundational infrastructure—roads, irrigation, and power—while the private sector would inject capital into farms, processing plants, and logistics, creating a thriving commercial ecosystem.
The results of this symbiotic relationship are staggering. A colossal $6.34 billion has been injected into the region, blowing past the initial 20-year target five years ahead of schedule. Crucially, public funds, totaling over $5 billion, acted as a magnet for $1.32 billion in private investment.
But the real measure of success lies in the lives it has changed. Over one million smallholder farmers have been brought into the commercial fold. For them, this has meant a fourteenfold surge in annual revenues, from a collective $42.9 million in 2019 to $255.3 million today. The ripple effect has created over 253,000 jobs in areas that desperately needed them.
The engine of this transformation was a sophisticated “cluster” model, which concentrated resources on specific geographic areas and high-potential value chains—from avocados and soya to tea and dairy. This approach created economies of scale, attracted specialized service providers, and fostered a collaborative environment where knowledge and innovation could flourish.
Greening the Growth
Crucially, this agricultural boom has not come at a steep environmental cost. Instead, SAGCOT has been a laboratory for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). An incredible 1.235 million hectares are now managed using sustainable techniques—a figure that smashes the original 2030 target of 350,000 hectares. By systematically addressing issues like soil acidity and championing water-efficient irrigation, the initiative has demonstrated that productivity and sustainability can be powerful allies.
Beyond the fields, SAGCOT became an influential voice in the halls of government. Its advocacy led to critical policy shifts, such as removing taxes on essential farm inputs and introducing tariffs to shield nascent local industries from foreign competition. This ability to bridge the gap between grassroots farmers and national policymakers has been a cornerstone of its enduring impact.
A National Ambition: The AGCOT Era
For President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the success in the south was not an endpoint but a proof of concept. In March 2023, she directed that the SAGCOT blueprint be scaled up across the entire nation, birthing the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT).
This is more than just a name change; it’s a paradigm shift. The AGCOT strategy expands the model to three new vital economic zones: the Mtwara corridor in the southeast, the Central corridor connecting to the Great Lakes, and the Northern corridor, a hub for horticulture and coffee.
AGCOT is now the primary vehicle for achieving Tanzania’s audacious Agriculture Master Plan 2050, a national vision aiming for a $100 billion agricultural GDP and $20 billion in net exports. The strategy explicitly prioritizes farmer-led enterprises and places women and youth at the center of its growth plans.
As the world grapples with food insecurity, supply chain disruptions, and the urgent need for sustainable development, Tanzania is authoring a new story. It is a narrative of self-reliance, strategic investment, and a profound belief in the power of its own people and land. The quiet revolution that began in its southern highlands is now set to echo across the nation—and other countries will be watching closely.