Government commends SUA for TRADE Hub project - aimed at easing poverty through trade in wildlife and agricultural goods

Published on Sat, 04/30/2022 - 23:27

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade has commended Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) for conducting various research studies aimed at boosting the country's economic growth and improving the lives of citizens.

The congratulations were given on 28th April 2022 in Dodoma City by the Deputy Minister Hon. Exaud Kigahe while speaking at a workshop organized by the Trade, Development and Environment (TRADE Hub) project to present the preliminary results of their research study to stakeholders. The project aims to make trade in wildlife and agricultural goods sustainable for people and ecosystems.

Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Hon. Exaud Kigahe opening the Workshop

Deputy Minister Kigahe said the project is being implemented at a right time because the government emphasizes economic growth through investment in the industrial and trade sectors.
He said the five-year period in which the project will be implemented will help in linking wildlife and agricultural commodities trade with other sectors and it will be a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Professor Reuben Kadigi

Commenting on the project and the purpose of the workshop, TRADE Hub project leader in Tanzania Professor Reuben Kadigi said it was to present the project progress and the preliminary results of their research study to stakeholders.

Prof Kadigi explained that the project is being implemented to help identify solutions to reduce the negative impact and enhance the benefits of the trade by highlighting the risks arising from practices that are not socially and environmentally sustainable.

"Our role as a project is to address the complex challenge of how to eliminate the negative impact on people and the environment caused by trade, we need this business to be done and bring development to the people without causing environmental degradation," said Professor Kadigi

Professor Kadigi said they want to ensure wildlife and agriculture commodities trade becomes a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development without further contributing to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

He said in Tanzania, the project investigates trade in sugar, coffee, soy beans, live animals and wild meat.

Dr. Fulgence Mishili

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics and Marketing from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Dr. Fulgence Mishili said the University will continue to conduct research and provide professional advisory services to the community and the nation to help the government make informed decisions through the results of these scientific studies.

He thanked all the stakeholders for dedicating their valuable time to attend the workshop and urged them to take a closer look at the results and give their feedback, suggestions and advice to the researchers.

Dr. Charles Mgeni

Speaking on behalf of the principal of the College of Economics and Business Studies where the project is hosted, Dr. Charles Mgeni expressed his special thanks to Hon. Kigahe for his speech which is full of constructive and hopeful advice in efforts to ensure the trade in agriculture and wildlife commodities becomes an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation.

Trade, Development and Environment (TRADE Hub) is a five-year project implemented by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in collaboration with other partners from 15 different countries in Africa, Asia, the UK, and Brazil from February 2019 to March 2024.