South Korea’s Canaan Global Centre (GCC) has signed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) to advance the value addition for cocoa and soya within the SAGCOT region.
Signed early this month, the MoU focused on innovative methods to enhance cocoa and soya value chains while highlighting these crops’ significant economic and environmental advantages.
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It was signed during a meeting between Prof. Jangsaen Kim, Director of GCC and Dr. Rozalia Rwegasira, SAGCOT’s Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary at SAGCOT Centre in Kilombero, Morogoro Town.
According to John Banga, Kilombero SAGCOT Centre Manager, the move aims at bolstering soya and cocoa production in the Kilombero and Mvomero Districts.
“We decided to go this direction because we recognise the importance of cocoa and soya beans as high-value crops with immense economic growth and sustainability potential,” said Banga.
He says, cocoa, a vital ingredient in chocolate production, has a burgeoning global market, while cocoa butter is renowned for its use in the cosmetics industry due to its hydrating properties.
In addition, the partnership plans to extend to additional clusters, underscoring a commitment to value addition and sustainable agricultural practices.
Central to this collaboration is establishing a processing and distribution centre in the Morogoro region, strategically chosen for its logistical benefits in marketing products nationwide.
Professor Kim expressed interest about sharing South Korea’s advanced technology and expertise in value addition for crops through the Canaan Global Centre.
“We have plans to establish a processing factory in Morogoro, demonstrating a hands-on approach to this international partnership,” Said Kim.
This agreement will help improve the agricultural production value chain in the Kilombero and Mvomero Districts of Tanzania, he added.
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Soybeans, celebrated for their versatility, are essential in producing soy milk, tofu, soy sauce, and other food products, making them a global dietary staple.
Additionally, soybeans are crucial in animal feed production and are processed into soybean oil, a widely used cooking oil. Their high protein content makes soybeans indispensable for addressing food security and nutritional needs.
The collaboration aims to significantly enhance farmers’ incomes and promote environmental sustainability in the SAGCOT areas by focusing on these lucrative value chains. The partnership between the Canaan Global Centre and the SAGCOT Centre is poised to spur economic growth, uplift livelihoods, and champion sustainable agricultural practices.
