From 2–5 March 2026, stakeholders from government, development partners, private sector institutions, and farmer organizations convened in Songea, Ruvuma Region, Tanzania, to review progress and opportunities in soybean production and value chain development.

The mission brought together representatives including Mr. Odd Arnesen from the NorwegianEmbassy, Mr. Yohane Kaduma from Private  Agricultural Sector Support Trust (PASS Trust), Mr. Francis Ndumbaro from the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO), Mr. Abdallah Msambachi from Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania Centre Limited (AGCOT Centre Ltd), Deo from the Ruvuma Regional Secretariat, alongside partners from Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MCODE), Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), and other key stakeholders supporting soybean development.

Discussions highlighted the growing potential of soybeans as a strategic crop for improving farmer incomes, strengthening the supply of quality livestock feed, and supporting agro- industrial development in Tanzania. Participants emphasized the need to expand access to improved seeds, strengthen extension services, improve aggregation systems, and enhance market linkages for smallholder farmers.

The engagement also reinforced the role of soybean development in advancing Flagship 8 of the Agriculture Master Plan (AMP) 2050, which focuses on strengthening strategic commodity value chains and agro-industrialization to drive productivity, value addition, and private sector
investment in Tanzania’s agriculture sector.

Strengthening the soybean value chain will therefore contribute directly to the broader objectives of AMP 2050, including agricultural commercialization, resilient food systems, and inclusive rural economic growth.