EUROPEAN UNION-TANZANIA COOPERATION Kilombero, 29th January 2013 Minister of Agriculture and European Union Ambassador to inaugurate bridge infrastructure in the benefit of sugar small holder outgrowers

The European Union has been supporting the Government of Tanzania to make the sugar cane industry more productive and more efficient and to undertake the necessary adjustment to adapt to the 2006 Reform of the EU sugar common market. Under the Sugar Accompanying Measures the EU has committed more than €12 millionover the period 2007-2013 to support the transformation of the Tanzanian sugar sector mainly focusing on promoting the development of capacities of small scale sugar cane growers and their participation in profitable partnerships with large scale sugar producers
In line with the National Strategy for Sugar Industry in Tanzania, the EU programme has aimed to increase the efficiency of small scale sugar cane growers by developing infrastructure, building capacities of farmers and farmers' associations, and by supporting research and training. The overall objective has been to improve standards of living of small scale farmers and ensure the sustainability of the Tanzanian sugar sector and safeguarding the environment. The programme has been implemented through the Ministry of Finance and the Sugar Board of Tanzania and in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives and has focused on five cane sugar growing areas: Kilombero, Kagera, Mtibwa, , Moshi and Zanzibar.
At the ceremony of inauguration of Mtendezy river crossing in the outgrowers areas of Kidatu
- Kilombero in the Morogoro region, the EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi said: "This inauguration completes a series of investments in feeder roads development adding up to a total of more than 90 kms of outgrowers farm access roads since the start of the sugar accompanying measures. The Mtendezi bridge and adjoining road will considerably decrease the distance to the factory (KSCL) and thus reduce transport costs. Together with the other activities I visited today, this infrastructure contributes to enhance the efficiency and productivity of small scale producers in Kilombero. The EU is proud to have lent its support to the development of a business model which has now come to be seen as a reference for the new agricultural investments advocated for by the Government of Tanzania, particularly in the framework of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor"
On his part the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Hon Christopher Kajoro Chiza, expressed the Government's appreciation for the timely decision made by the European Union to allocate funds in support of the Tanzania sugar sector and to help address the challenges being faced by sugar industry."

For more information:

EUROPEAN UNION: Alexandre Serres- Porgramme Officer, Natural Resources Section-EU Delegation

Alexandre.SERRES@eeas.europa.eu

MIISTRY OF FINANCE: Vicky Mwanukuzi, Programme Officer, EDF Programme Support Unit, Ministry of

Finance, Tanzania; mwanukuz@psu.go.tz

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