NMB Bank PLC in collaboration with Global Dairy Platform (GDP) have co-hosted a Dairy Sector Roundtable Meeting bringing together over 150 local and international experts to discuss and come up with a plan to support the dairy sub-sector in Tanzania.
The two-day conference themed ‘Creating a Sustainable, Competitive & Visionary Tanzanian Diary Subsector’ will provide space for experts to share successful experiences on the importance of dairy in poverty alleviation, combating malnutrition and economic development. Other Co-hosts include the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Rabo Partnerships and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
Speaking at the round-table meeting, the NMB Bank’s Senior Manager Food and Agri Research Advisory Services – Carol Nyangaro said the bank is committed to support the growth of agriculture with a special focus on the value chain.
“As the leading Agri bank in the country, NMB is committed to agriculture financing, presently 30 to 40 % of our portfolio goes towards supporting agriculture in the country. The goal is to expand the scope of the bank’s coverage and thus, ensuring more businesses and individuals, especially those in rural communities, have access to our agricultural financial services,” he added.
“The bank’s loan to agriculture sector will reach TZS 500 Billion in the near future from the current where over TZS 100 Billion is already spent; with the round-table discussion which we believe will bare good results, our financing will be a big boost in the improvement of the dairy sector.” Said Mr Nyangaro
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Hon. Luhaga Joelson Mpina: - “I would like to thank NMB & GDP for organizing this round-table meeting with special focus on Dairy sub-sector. This meeting provides an exceptional opportunity for delegates to interact and deliberate on any possible initiatives championed by the government, agribusinesses, as well as other partners supporting Tanzanian dairy sector.
“The experiences from participants provided unique insight into issues affecting the sector and ideas for how to develop within the framework of existing plans and policies that can better support the industry.” Added the Minister
The Government is open such initiatives that bring relevant stakeholders together in a bid to create a comprehensive action plan covering the whole dairy value chain and leading to the sustainable development of the local dairy sector.
