MWE Correspondent
Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, has announced a sweeping move to address the chronic shortage of arable land in the Kilimanjaro Region, vowing to dissolve underperforming cooperative societies that are failing to utilize their vast land holdings.
Speaking in the National Assembly during a question-and-answer session on Thursday, Bashe said the government is determined to act on land inefficiencies, especially in regions where population growth has intensified land pressure.
“We are aware that Kilimanjaro faces a serious land shortage. However, there are cooperative societies that own large pieces of land but are not doing anything productive with them. We will revoke their registrations and form new, active societies that will prioritize the people,” Bashe declared.
The announcement comes as part of a broader reform agenda under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose administration is pushing for modernization of the agriculture sector through policy reforms, digital systems, and sustainable land use practices.
Historic Cooperatives Under Scrutiny
Some of the land in question is reportedly held by legacy organizations such as the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU), one of Africa’s oldest cooperative unions. Established in 1930, KNCU was once the pride of Tanzania’s coffee industry, managing large farms and exports from the fertile slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
However, in recent years, such cooperatives have faced challenges including financial mismanagement, outdated governance structures, and a failure to adapt to modern agricultural practices. As a result, significant land assets have remained underutilized.
Bashe clarified that the government will carry out a legal audit of land holdings to identify dormant cooperative societies. Those found in violation of operational or productivity standards will be deregistered, and their land repurposed for new cooperatives aligned with the goals of sustainable agriculture and food security.
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New Model: Community-Led Agricultural Enterprises
The Minister emphasized that upcoming cooperatives will be designed to operate under transparent governance, ensuring accountability to members and responsiveness to market needs. The Ministry of Agriculture also plans to support these entities through technical training, access to finance, and digital land registration systems under development in partnership with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government.
Additionally, Bashe highlighted a synergy with initiatives like the National Cooperative Bank, which was launched to improve access to affordable credit for farmers and cooperative ventures.
Response and Outlook
Local leaders from Kilimanjaro and agricultural economists have responded positively to the plan. Many agree that hoarding of land by inactive cooperatives has created inequality and limited farming potential for young and emerging farmers.
“We hope this will open new doors for agripreneurs in our region,” said one farmer from Moshi, Kilimanjaro’s regional capital. “Access to land and financial services has been a major bottleneck.”
With Tanzania aiming to become a regional agricultural powerhouse, land reforms such as this could prove critical in enhancing productivity, reducing rural poverty, and boosting exports.
Bashe concluded his remarks by assuring Parliament that the changes would be implemented lawfully and transparently, with all stakeholders consulted.
