Tanga, Tanzania, 14 - 15 January 2026
FANRPAN participated in the Food Systems Transformation for Southern Africa in One Health (FoSTA-Health) National Stakeholder Dialogue held on 14–15 January 2026 in Tanga, Tanzania.
The National Dialogue brought together representatives from government ministries, research institutions, the private sector, farmers, and development partners to examine how these transformation pathways can be advanced within the national context, with a strong focus on horticulture as a growing driver of export competitiveness and rural livelihoods.
Key issues discussed included governance and standards shaping Tanzania’s horticultural exports, the risks and rewards of participating in emerging export value chains, and women’s empowerment and the aspirations of smallholder farmers seeking to access high-value markets. Participants highlighted regulatory compliance, access to finance, infrastructure, market information, and institutional coordination as critical enablers of inclusive value chain participation.
Speaking at the dialogue, the Assistant Director of Marketing and Food Security in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Katunzi, emphasized the central role of agriculture in national development and the importance of women’s empowerment in strengthening food systems. He noted that smallholder farmers are the bedrock of Tanzania’s agricultural system and underscored the need for targeted policy, institutional, and market support to enable them to benefit from emerging opportunities. He further highlighted that research and policy engagement initiatives such as FoSTA-Health play an important role in identifying gaps and strengthening areas that require investment and reform.
The Director of the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) and FANRPAN Deputy Board Chair, Prof. Fortunata Makene, highlighted the importance of evidence-based policy engagement and strong research–policy linkages in driving sustainable development outcomes. As FANRPAN’s national node host in Tanzania, ESRF plays a key role in convening stakeholders, facilitating dialogue between researchers and policymakers, and translating research evidence into actionable policy recommendations.
Representing the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), Dr Rachel Mkandawire emphasised that the FoSTA-Health project provides a practical blueprint for embedding a One Health approach within food systems. She highlighted the importance of co-creation between researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to strengthen governance, align evidence with policy priorities, and ensure that research informs decision-making processes that are responsive to real-world food system challenges.
Through evidence-based presentations and participatory discussions, the dialogue generated policy-relevant insights and priority actions to strengthen inclusive horticultural value chains, improve institutional coordination, and align investments with smallholder and women farmers’ needs. Outcomes from the dialogue will inform national policy processes and contribute to cross-country learning across the four FoSTA-Health focal countries.
By fostering sustained stakeholder engagement and integrating research with policy processes, FoSTA-Health continues to support countries in identifying practical pathways toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in Southern Africa under a One Health framework.