News, Events & Field Activities
The Potato Council of Tanzania is at the centre of a sector transformation that is moving fast. This page is the home of our public-facing communications — recent highlights, upcoming events, and the field activities that connect policy to practice.
Featured: World Potato Congress 2026 — Naivasha, Kenya
Sub-Saharan Africa Hosts the Global Potato Community — 26–30 October 2026
For the first time ever in Sub-Saharan Africa, the 13th World Potato Congress comes to Naivasha, Kenya from 26 to 30 October 2026. The Congress is expected to convene 1,000+ delegates from 60+ countries for global policy and market discussions, innovation showcases, and field visits across Kenya — a historic moment that recognises the geographic shift in potato importance from developed to developing nations.
Tanzania’s Position
No official Congress events have been announced for Tanzania. The Congress programme — including all field visits and technical tours — is hosted within Kenya. As a neighbouring country and one of Africa’s top potato producers, Tanzania’s role is therefore that of an active participating nation, not a co-host. For the PCT and its members, this still represents a once-in-a-generation regional opportunity:
- Delegation participation — coordinating Tanzanian farmer leaders, processors, exporters, researchers, and policymakers to attend Naivasha.
- Border visibility — Naivasha sits a half-day’s drive from the Tanzania-Kenya border, putting Tanzanian seed multipliers, ware producers, and exporters within easy reach of the global delegate community.
- Sector readiness — using the months ahead of October 2026 to strengthen variety catalogues, certification standards, and trade-ready documentation so Tanzanian businesses are competitive in conversations and contracts that emerge during and after the Congress.
- Regional positioning — affirming Tanzania’s place in the East African potato story alongside Kenya’s hosting role.
The Potato Council of Tanzania is coordinating the Tanzanian delegation, supporting visa and travel logistics for member representatives, and convening pre-Congress briefings to ensure participating Tanzanian businesses arrive in Naivasha prepared to engage.
📌 Register interest in joining the Tanzanian delegation →
Recent Highlights
Potato Council Officially Registered — June 2024
On 27 June 2024, the Potato Council of Tanzania was officially registered under the BRELA Act, completing the institutional formation process that began in mid-2022. Under the leadership of Chairman Beno Mgaya, the Council now operates as a legally constituted entity with the standing to negotiate, advocate, and coordinate on behalf of the sector.
From SAGCOT to AGCOT — April 2025
On 27 April 2025, the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) framework was expanded nationally to become the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT). The Northern, Central, and Mtwara corridors were activated alongside the original Southern Corridor — placing the potato value chain at the heart of a USD 100 billion agricultural ambition for 2050.
Zambia Market Opens to Tanzanian Potatoes — September 2024
The Government of Tanzania launched a process to open new markets for priority crops, identifying Zambia as a key destination for Tanzanian potato exports. The PCT is supporting member preparation for this corridor, including phytosanitary compliance, packaging standards, and trade-finance arrangements.
Jumuiya Potato Platform — Kampala, June 2022
The PCT delegation participated in the official launch of the Jumuiya Potato Platform in Kampala — a historic moment marking the East African Community’s commitment to harmonising seed potato regulations across all seven member states. The PCT engaged in policy dialogue, signed joint communiqués, and joined technical working groups to operationalise cross-border trade protocols.
Production Surges 89.1% — 2023/24 Season
Tanzania harvested 2.78 million tonnes of potatoes in the 2023/24 season — the largest single-season production gain in the country’s history, driven by subsidised fertiliser, improved seed distribution, and better digital coordination through GePG and ATMIS systems.
Shule ya Tanga Demonstration — Ruvuma Region
The PCT and partners hosted a major farmer field day at the Shule ya Tanga demonstration site in Ruvuma Region, attracting over 200 farmers. The event was featured on regional radio and ITV national broadcast, helping spread Good Agricultural Practices to a wider audience than any classroom session ever could.
Upcoming Initiatives
National Potato Strategy Validation Workshop
The Council is currently organising a major multi-stakeholder validation workshop to formally endorse the National Round Potato Development Strategy. Participants will include government ministries, parliamentary committees, donor agencies, private sector representatives, farmer organisations, and research institutions. The validated Strategy will guide public investments, regulatory reforms, and development partner programming for the next decade.
📅 Workshop dates to be announced — register interest via the Contact page →
Seed Potato Multiplication Zone Launch — Q3 2026
In collaboration with TOSCI, TARI, and private seed companies, the PCT is supporting the establishment of dedicated seed potato multiplication zones in the Southern Highlands. These zones will leverage high-altitude, disease-free areas to produce foundation and certified seed at scale — addressing the chronic seed scarcity that has constrained sector growth for decades.
2026 Annual General Meeting & Industry Conference
The PCT will convene its Annual General Meeting and Industry Conference in late 2026, featuring:
- Keynote addresses from the Minister of Agriculture
- Technical sessions on climate-smart varieties and post-harvest innovations
- B2B networking exhibitions
- Field excursions to model commercial potato farms in the Southern Highlands
This flagship event provides unparalleled opportunities for stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and business development.
Quarterly Farmer Field Days
The Council and its partners host quarterly farmer field days at demonstration sites across the priority clusters — showcasing best practices in seed potato production, irrigation management, and post-harvest handling. These events serve as critical knowledge transfer platforms, allowing smallholders to observe, interact with, and adopt proven techniques in real farm settings.
📌 Field day schedule published quarterly — subscribe to the PCT newsletter for updates.
Press Releases & Statements
The PCT issues press releases on major sector developments, policy positions, and Council activities. Recent and upcoming releases include:
- PCT Coordinates Tanzanian Delegation to World Potato Congress 2026 in Naivasha, Kenya
- Council Statement on the National Round Potato Development Strategy
- PCT Calls for Standardisation of Potato Packaging — End of the Lumbesa Era
- Joint Statement on Cross-Border Trade with Kenya, Comoros, and Zanzibar
📥 [Press Release Archive] (coming soon)
Media Resources
Journalists, broadcasters, and content creators covering the Tanzanian potato sector are welcome to draw on the Council’s media resources:
- Photo library — high-resolution imagery from field activities, member farms, and Council events.
- Video clips — short interviews with farmers, lead members, and Council leadership.
- Fact sheets — single-page briefs on production data, policy frameworks, and sector statistics.
- Expert interviews — the PCT can arrange interviews with Council leadership, member representatives, and partner institutions.
📧 For media inquiries: media@potatocouncil.or.tz (placeholder — replace with verified contact)
Stay Connected
Subscribe to the PCT newsletter for monthly updates on:
- Production and price trends
- Policy developments
- Member spotlights
- Upcoming field days, workshops, and conferences
- Resource releases (new GAP manuals, market intelligence reports, etc.)
📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter →
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