Value adding through Agro-processing in Tanzanias' liberalised economic environment: some thoughts for the new millennium
Kurwijila, L.R / 1999

The paper presents a brief review of Tanzania’s agro-industrial development since independence and during the period of a centrally planned economy. The main focus was on import substitution industries and sometimes import/export dependant industries, which did not perform well due to either under capacity utilisation or poor management or sheer economic uncompetitive ness. The paper further highlights on conditions necessary for success of agro-processing industries in Tanzania: type of products: choice of technology and scale of operation: cost of products, quality aspects and marketing and promotion. Finally, it is argued that Tanzania required the correct policy frame with regard to internal and external trade policies which will enable agro-processing industries to grow and prosper in an increasingly globalise free market economy. The paper concluded by giving a case study in slide series of small processing ventures and appropriate small scale dairy processing technologies.