Signing of MoU on e-certification on phytosanitary processes in Tanzania
On May 4, 2023, the Governments of Tanzania and the Netherlands achieved a significant milestone in their bilateral cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing electronic certification processes for the sanitary and phytosanitary procedures in Tanzania's thriving horticultural sector.
This collaboration is set to revolutionize the certification process, addressing the current reliance on paperwork and introducing electronic systems to streamline trade and improve efficiency in exporting horticultural products.
The implementation of the MoU will be facilitated by the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticide Authority (TPHPA) and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), with the support of various stakeholders and organizations within the sector.
Background of the Tanzania Horticultural export
The horticultural sector in Tanzania has seen impressive growth over the past three decades, becoming a significant source of foreign exchange earnings. In 2019 alone, horticulture exports amounted to USD 779 million, contributing to the country's total export value. This sector plays a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of around 4.5 million farmers, including both small-scale and large-scale producers, with women and youth making up the majority.
Exporting horticultural products requires obtaining a phytosanitary certification from the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA). Currently, the certification process heavily relies on paperwork and involves inspections conducted by qualified inspectors. The phytosanitary paper certificate acts as a guarantee to the importing countries' authorities, serving as a passport for the product and accompanying the consignment to the designated port of entry.
The preparation of paper phytosanitary certificates takes up a significant amount of time for inspectors at the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA). This manual process generates paper certificates, which are permanent records, meaning in case of an error during entry or export consignment changes during the process. Changes may arise from the need to adjust the amount of produce exported due to cargo space limitations. As paper certificates accompany the exported goods, they make it difficult for importing port officials to pre-clear consignments before arrival, leading to unnecessary delays even for routine cargo.
Tanzania and the Netherlands bilateral relations
Tanzania and the Netherlands have a long-standing cooperation, with more than 80 Dutch companies operating in the Tanzania agricultural sector, mostly in the horticultural sector. Amongst others, the Dutch agricultural companies’ exports seeds, flower cuttings and high-end horticultural crops to Europe via the Netherlands.
In 2019, an expert from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety visited Tanzania to explore collaboration on digitalization of phytosanitary processes. Multiple discussions held with the Tanzania government institutions, international communities and the private sector resulted in demand on capacity building program on relevant standards and technical assistance from the Netherlands to Tanzania on electronic certifications.
The role of the Netherlands in the signed MoU
Throughout the implementation of this MoU, The Netherlands will provide capacity building on the relevant standards and technical assistance (advise, support to testing amongst others). Furthermore, the Netherlands will share its experience at the transition from paper to paperless certification focusing on the effects on business procedures at both the public and private sector.
The project is set to offer seminars and workshops, with both the public and private sector, and a study tour for a Tanzanian delegation to the Netherlands in order learn more how this paperless certification works in practice and get ideas how to implement paperless certification in Tanzania taken into consideration domestic rules, regulation, and procedures.
The technical support aims to digitalize the paper-driven process of phytosanitary certification to improve efficiency and reduce delays in exporting horticultural produce. The project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, institutions that represent or liaison to traders and exporters, the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Tanzania and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Impact of the signed MoU
The final goal of this project is to dematerialize the certification at the export to Europe and other destinations that (will) have the capacity to work electronically like South-Africa, Kenya, USA, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. In the end, it will have replaced the existing paper certificates by standardized electronic messages in the exchange of information on Plant Health. The cooperation will result into efficient agricultural trade and eventually creating more jobs and foreign earnings. Eventually, the efficiency will attract more investments in the horticulture sector in Tanzania.
For more information:
Do you have questions on the MoU? please contact the E-Cert expert Mr. Lex Moret via a.j.moret@dictu.nl or the Agricultural Department of the Embassy via dar-lnv@minbuza.nl
Other useful links:
TAHA comparative study on agrologistics
Horticulture] New generation of Horticultural entrepreneurs
Deliberations on the International Seed Conference
The Embassy provides regular updates on developments in the agriculture sector. To receive the updates follow us on our twitter account @NLAgriTanzania and subscribe to our newsletter by sending an email to dar-lnv@minbuza.nl.