Introduction
Tanzania is well-known in the international market for producing eatable goods that are traded both within the country and used for exports. “Maize, wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, beans, sorghum, and sugar cane” are the most often cultivated food crops in Tanzania (International Trade Administration, 2021, para. 5). “Coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, tobacco, tea, and sisal” are all crops from which their producers can profit (International Trade Administration, 2021, para. 5). The production of crops attributes to the development of industrialization in the country by attracting investors and enabling technological and logistical improvement through the profits from exports and supplies to urbanized areas.
The Aim, Conceptual Clarification, and Conceptual Framework
The aim of this paper is, before all, to explore the contributions of the agriculture sector in Tanzania to the process of industrialization in the country by using the most recent data about its food and cash crops. Some conceptual clarifications should be made as to the terms “industrialization,” “agriculture,” “food crops,” and “cash crops.” As such, industrialization implies the transformation of an economy from one that is predominantly agricultural to one that is based on the production of products. Agriculture is the production of valuable plants and the breeding animals of animals; an agriculture-led economy mainly focuses on these processes to sustain its population. Food crops are the plants produced for consumption within a country, while cash crops are used for export and can make more profit. Finally, according to this research’s conceptual framework, industrialization in Tanzania results from developing its agricultural market, which causes investments and improvements in logistics and technologies in the sector.
Discussion
As mentioned earlier, Tanzania already has a large agricultural sector with food and cash crops, and the existing market has both perspectives and issues. It is known that agriculture accounts for about 30% of Tanzania’s GDP and employs a large number of its citizens in this sector (International Trade Administration, 2021, para. 2). Tanzania has promoted rice growing for both domestic consumption and export to neighboring nations and required technological and educational assistance from non-governmental agencies for this goal. Next, cashews are a vital cash crop in Tanzania, although the country processes just around 10% of these nuts (International Trade Administration, 2021, para. 23). The state has already requested foreign funding for this sector, which aims to expand the production yield of the region rapidly. Moreover, a significant amount of wheat is consumed in urban areas, and the rise of cities in the country is predicted to enhance demand for wheat products. These facts present an opportunity for industrialization, which will be discussed further.
Analysis
The above-mentioned data should be assessed as to its contribution to industrialization. First, the financial support of agencies within the country might allow its producers to invest in new equipment, which enhances the technological sector. Next, governmental measures could increase the production of major crops in the next years; this, in turn, will result in more significant profit and enhance the development of processing in the industry. Furthermore, the food crops such as wheat needed by the urban areas demand transport; hence, the state’s logistics should improve. Then, the development of logistics makes production more accessible since valuable technologies can be supplied. Thus, the sector leads the country to a more rapid process of industrialization.
Conclusion
To summarize, the agricultural production existing in Tanzania indirectly results in greater industrialization. First, governmental and other investments allow more technology-based cultivation of crops. Second, domestic and international trade increases the profits from food and cash crops and can lead to the development of processing factories. Finally, selling the products within the country improves logistics, which is valuable for further production and trade, which is interconnected with industrialization.
Recommendations
It can be recommended to the governmental institutions of Tanzania concerning the economic and agricultural spheres to continue supporting the cultivation of crops. Next, it is essential to guarantee the credit system by gaining investment from various agencies. Moreover, the more significant technological development implies the demand for professionals in multiple spheres, so acquiring those for future development of processing and production is necessary.
Reference
International Trade Organization. (2021). Agriculture and Agricultural Processing. Web.