TAHA in partnership with key global institutions has rolled out an ambitious ‘Marshall plan’ to bridge skills gap in the country’s multi-million-dollar horticulture industry. The plan brings together, TAHA, the Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee (COLEACP), World Vegetable Center (WVC) and Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST). Whereas COLEACP is an international network promoting sustainable horticultural trade between ACP- countries and the European Union, the WVC is a competent institute for vegetable research and development with Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology being a Pan African University based in Arusha Tanzania offering world class training in higher education. Speaking during the signing ceremony, the CEO, TAHA said that the 5-year pilot programme will see thousands of youths being imparted with prerequisite skills to unlock the horticulture potential. The Marshall plan intends to produce highly skilled personnel to spur horticultural industry growth to earn the economy $3 billion per annum in the next five years, up from the current $779 million, be part of the solution in contributing to the dwindling food sources in the world, create jobs and wealth with special focus on youth and women. The deal paves way for rolling out of accredited horticulture practical training programme, offering local and international recognized certificate and diploma courses at the most prestigious Pan-African University, NM-AIST, in northern Tanzania. The MoU tasks TAHA to coordinate private and public sectors to support the project, promote and market the programme to the entire industry as well as oversee practical sessions. NM-AIST Vice-Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Luoga on his part, promised to produce competent graduates not only fit for the labor market, but also job creators and innovators. “Through the programme, we intend to produce high skilled personnel in horticulture value addition instead of solely relying on export of raw flowers” Prof. Luoga noted.
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