National Agroforestry Symposium Targets 8,000 Onsite Stakeholders To Drive Youth, Green Investment In Tanzania

A total of 8,000 onsite participants are expected to take part in the 11th National Agroforestry Symposium, scheduled to take place from October 19 to 22 at the Agroforestry Training Centre (ATC) in Bweri, Musoma Region.

The Via Agroforestry-organised symposium will convene under the theme, “Agroforestry for Youth and Green Investment,” building on more than ten years of national dialogue and over four decades of field experience in agroforestry.

Briefing Zanzibar News on the event, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Civic Social Protection Foundation, Mr. Nemence Iriya, said that through its ten previous editions, the symposium has supported policy dialogue, farmer-led innovation and collaboration among government, researchers, civil society, private sector actors, financial institutions and development partners.

“The support contributes to the implementation of the National Agroforestry Strategy (NAS II), follows up and monitors resolutions from the National Agroforestry Advisory Committee (NAACO), and brings stakeholders together through the Tanzania Agroforestry Stakeholders Platform (TASP),” he said.

He noted that, guided by the vision, “Where Trees Grow, People Grow,” the symposium has become Tanzania’s main multi-stakeholder platform for agroforestry.

Mr Iriya said the symposium convenes government institutions, farmers, civil society, researchers, development partners, private sector actors and youth to share knowledge, build partnerships and advance the agroforestry sector in response to climate and development challenges.

“Under the theme of ‘Agroforestry for Youth and Green Investment,’ the 11th Symposium will focus on moving from dialogue to implementation,” he said.

He said the forum will look at how proven agroforestry models can be scaled up, how public and private investment can be mobilised, and how agroforestry can contribute to national priorities on climate action, biodiversity conservation, restoration and food security.

“A key feature of this edition is the Youth Town Hall on Agroforestry and Green Investment.

“The town hall will create space for youth representatives to engage directly with policymakers, financial institutions, investors and private sector actors on barriers and opportunities in the agroforestry value chain and green enterprise,” he noted.

The session, according to him, will produce practical recommendations and investment ideas for presentation during the closing plenary, helping ensure that priorities are reflected in the symposium’s policy, partnership and investment outcomes.

“The symposium is expected to host about 8,000 onsite participants, with virtual participation to broaden national and regional reach,” he added.

Giving further details, he said participants are expected from government institutions, development partners, research institutions, financial institutions, the private sector, farmer organisations, youth groups and civil society organisations.

“By combining high-level dialogue with ATC, the symposium will connect policy and investment discussions with real practice,” he observed.

He said the development will help strengthen partnerships and generate commitments that can accelerate agroforestry transformation and green investment in Tanzania.

The Agroforestry Training Centre in Bweri serves as a practical hub for agroforestry training, demonstrations, innovation and applied learning.

The symposium is being organised a few weeks after the launch of the Tanzania Agroforestry Stakeholder Platform (TASP), a vital platform for bringing together relevant stakeholders to implement various interventions needed for the development of agroforestry in Tanzania.