Tanzania has no single Agriculture Act. Agricultural policy rests on the National Agricultural Policy of 2013, the Agricultural Sector Development Programme II, Agenda 10/30 and the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan, and its legal base is a set of crop industry Acts, input laws, the warehouse receipt law and the land Acts of 1999. A Bill on movable property collateral and the Agricultural Laws (Amendments) Bill were passed by Parliament in August 2026, and no corresponding Act had been recorded in Parliament's register of Acts by 17 October 2026.
This note explains how the entries are linked. Each Act links to its gazetted text where available and to TanzLII, the free legal information service, through archived copies of its act pages, because TanzLII answers automated requests with a bot check. Assent, gazette and commencement dates were checked on 17 October 2026 against the gazetted texts, the TanzLII history panels and the Parliament Acts and Bills registers. Where an Act commences by ministerial notice and the notice was not found, this is stated.
Milestones in agricultural and agri-finance policy
Collateral and agricultural laws Bills passed26Law
8.1
Land, crops, food reserve and marketing
Land Act, 1999Act No. 4 of 1999, Cap. 113Commenced 1 May 2001 (TanzLII), consolidated version up to date as at 30 November 2019
The Land Act is the basic law on land other than village land, covering land management and the settlement of land disputes1. It defines general land and reserved land, provides for granted rights of occupancy and a Land Compensation Fund, and regulates mortgages of land in Part X as substituted1. A World Bank Land Tenure Improvement Project approved on 21 December 2021 supported issuance of certificates of customary and granted rights of occupancy under this framework27.
Village Land Act, 1999Act No. 5 of 1999, Cap. 114Commenced 1 May 2001 (TanzLII), consolidated version up to date as at 30 November 2019
The Village Land Act provides for the management and administration of land in villages2. It provides for certificates of village land and certificates of customary right of occupancy, and recognises customary leases and customary mortgages governed by customary law2.
Recent changes: The consolidated text records an amendment by Act No. 2 of 20102.
Cooperative Societies Act, 2013Act No. 6 of 2013Assent 20 October 2013, published in the Gazette 31 December 2013, in force (commenced per TanzLII)
The Act establishes the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission and governs the formation, registration and operation of cooperative societies10. It repealed the Cooperative Societies Act, 200310. The Commission registers, inspects and supervises societies and determines cooperative disputes28.
Recent changes: Amended by the Microfinance Act, 2018 with effect from 1 November 2019 and by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2025 dated 14 March 202529. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that the 2025 amendment gives the Registrar powers to act promptly on embezzlement identified in audit reports23.
Warehouse Receipts Act, 2005Act No. 10 of 2005, Cap. 339Assent 6 June 2005, commencement on a date appointed by ministerial notice
The Act establishes a regulatory framework for warehouse receipts and licensing procedures for warehouses3. The Warehouse Receipts Regulatory Board operates under this Act, its 2015 amendment and regulations of 2016, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade30.
Recent changes: The Warehouse Receipts (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015, assent 25 April 2015, gazette 22 May 2015) recognises receipts in electronic form, re-establishes the Board and allows it to charge fees from key actors14.
Food Security Act, 1991Act No. 10 of 1991, Cap. 249Assent 5 August 1991 (written 5/8/91), consolidated as Cap. 249 R.E. 2023
The 1991 Act established a Food Security Department to oversee the strategic grain reserve31. The Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) is established under the Act as amended and regulates production, processing and marketing of cereals and other produce32.
Recent changes: The Agricultural Laws (Amendments) Bill, 2026 would transfer the functions of the Tanzania Pyrethrum Board to COPRA and was passed by Parliament on 27 August 2026, and no corresponding Act had been recorded in Parliament's register of Acts by 17 October 2026263334.
Executive Agency (The National Food Reserve Agency) (Establishment) Order, 2008, under the Executive Agencies ActGN No. 81 of 2008 under the Executive Agencies Act No. 30 of 1997 (Cap. 245)GN published 13 June 2008, in effect 1 July 2008
The National Food Reserve Agency was established as an executive agency under the Executive Agencies Act and came into effect on 1 July 2008, taking over the Strategic Grain Reserve set up in 197635. Its functions are to maintain an optimal national food reserve, procure and release stocks during disasters, and market food commodities for price stabilisation36.
Cereals and Other Produce Act, 2009Act No. 19 of 2009Assent 20 November 2009, published 25 December 2009, commencement by ministerial notice
The Act establishes the Cereals and Other Produce Board and provides for the promotion and development of cereals and other agricultural produce in Mainland Tanzania8. The Board carries out commercial functions such as buying, importing in shortages and exporting, and promotional functions such as storage, grading and processing services37.
Crops Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2009Act No. 20 of 2009Assent 20 November 2009, published 25 December 2009
The Act amended the crop industry laws to rationalise the roles, functions and financing of the crop boards9. It amended the Tea Act, the Coffee Industry Act, the Sisal Industry Act, the Cotton Industry Act, the Tobacco Industry Act, the Pyrethrum Act and the Sugar Industry Act9.
Cashewnut Industry Act, 2009Act No. 18 of 2009Assent 20 November 2009, published 25 December 2009, commenced 1 November 2010
The Act establishes the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania and provides for registration of growers and traders, contract farming, licensing, marketing, inspection and grading7. It commenced on 1 November 2010 by commencement notice and repealed the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania Act38.
Recent changes: Amended by the Finance Acts of 2010, 2018, 2022 and 202438. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that the 2024 amendment directs 100 percent of the raw cashew export levy to the Cashewnut Board23.
Tobacco Industry Act, 2001Act No. 24 of 20012001 (assent and commencement dates not verified)
The Tanzania Tobacco Board is the regulatory body established under the Tobacco Industry Act No. 24 of 2001 as amended in 200941. Its functions under section 5 cover policy, guidelines and standards for the tobacco industry and advice to the Minister41.
Recent changes: Amended by Part VI of the Crops Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 20099.
Cotton Industry Act, 2001Act No. 2 of 20012001 (assent and commencement dates not verified)
The Tanzania Cotton Board is a statutory body formed by Act No. 2 of 2001 to oversee the cotton sub-sector40. The Board traces its history to the Lint and Seed Marketing Board of 195242.
Recent changes: Amended by Part V of the Crops Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 20099. The Ministry of Agriculture reports a further amendment to strengthen purchase data, cotton quality and cotton seed supply23.
Sugar Industry Act, 2001Act No. 26 of 2001, Cap. 251Commenced 1 July 2002 by the Sugar Industry Act (Commencement) Order, 2002 (TanzLII)
The Sugar Board of Tanzania is established under section 3 of the Act as the regulatory and licensing body of the sugar industry43. TanzLII records commencement on 1 July 2002 by commencement order44.
Recent changes: Amended by the Crops Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009, the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Acts of 2017 and 2020 and the Finance Act 202444. The 2024 amendment allows NFRA to buy and store emergency sugar23. The Agricultural Laws (Amendments) Bill, 2026, passed on 27 August 2026, also amends Cap. 25126.
Sisal Industry Act, 1997 and Tea Act, 1997Act No. 2 of 1997, Cap. 30 and Act No. 3 of 1997, Cap. 275Both commenced 1 October 1997 (TanzLII)
The Sisal Industry Act established the Tanzania Sisal Board and replaced the Sisal Industry Act of 197345. The Tea Act created the Tea Board of Tanzania and the Tanzania Smallholders Tea Development Agency after the dissolution of the Tanzania Tea Authority46. Both Acts commenced on 1 October 1997 and were amended in 2004 and 20094748.
Recent changes: The Agricultural Laws (Amendments) Bill, 2026 transfers sisal processing, export and storage regulations to the Minister and disestablishes the Tanzania Smallholder Tea Development Agency, and was passed on 27 August 20263326.
Bill to repeal the Pyrethrum Industry Act, 2026Bill No. 6 of 2026 (repeals Act No. 1 of 1997)Gazetted 5 June 2026, passed 28 August 2026, no Act recorded in Parliament's register of Acts by 17 October 2026
The Bill repeals the Pyrethrum Industry Act, Act No. 1 of 199726. The companion Agricultural Laws (Amendments) Bill vests the functions of the Tanzania Pyrethrum Board in COPRA33.
Seeds, fertiliser, plant and animal health, irrigation and research
Fertilizers Act, 2009Act No. 9 of 2009, Cap. 378Assent 12 May 2009 (TanzLII), publication date not ascertained by TanzLII, commencement by ministerial notice
The Act regulates the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale and use of agricultural fertilizers and repealed the Fertilizers and Animal Foodstuffs Act6. The Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority established under the Act was officiated in May 201249. Subsidiary legislation includes the Fertilizer (Bulk Procurement) Regulations, 201750.
Seeds Act, 2003Act No. 18 of 2003Assent 30 January 2004, commencement by ministerial notice
The Act provides for the control and regulation of the standards of agricultural seeds and repealed the Seeds (Regulation of Standards) Act, 197351. The Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute operates under the Act and certifies seed produced or imported for sale52.
Plant Health Act, 2020Act No. 4 of 2020Assent 15 June 2020, published 19 June 2020
The Act provides for control of pesticides, phytosanitary measures and prevention of pest introduction, and establishes the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority17. It repealed the Plant Protection Act and the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute Act17. The Authority merged the Ministry's Plant Health Section with TPRI35.
Animal Diseases Act, 2003 and Livestock Identification, Registration and Traceability Act, 2010Act No. 17 of 2003 and Act No. 12 of 2010Animal Diseases Act assent 30 January 2004, published 6 February 2004, commenced 1 May 2004, Livestock Identification Act assent 20 May 2010, published 28 May 2010
The Animal Diseases Act provides for the control and prevention of animal diseases and the monitoring of animal products54. It commenced on 1 May 200455. The 2010 Act establishes a National Livestock Identification, Registration and Traceability System to control disease and livestock theft and support food safety56.
Recent changes: The Animal Diseases Act was amended by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 7) Act, 2019 and the Finance Act, 202255.
National Irrigation Act, 2013Act No. 5 of 2013 (gazetted copy), cited as No. 4 by NIRC and the MinistryAssent 20 October 2013, published 31 December 2013
The Act establishes the National Irrigation Commission and provides for the development, operation and maintenance of irrigation and drainage systems11. Section 52 establishes an Irrigation Development Fund11.
Recent changes: Amended by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 202558. The Ministry reports that the amendment recognises district irrigation offices and gives irrigators' organisations corporate status23.
Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute Act, 2016Act No. 10 of 2016Assent 23 September 2016, published 30 September 2016
The Act establishes the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute and provides for coordination, governance and conduct of agricultural research60. TARI operates a network of 20 research centres61.
Banking and Financial Institutions Act, 2006Act No. 5 of 2006, Cap. 342Assent 7 June 2006, published 8 June 2006
The Act provides for comprehensive regulation of banks and financial institutions, including savings and credit co-operative schemes5. It defines credit reference bureaus and lists development financing and credit reference services as financial business5. TADB is licensed under this Act and the Development Finance Regulations, 201262.
Bank of Tanzania Act, 2006Act No. 4 of 2006, Cap. 197Assent 7 June 2006, published 8 June 2006, commenced 1 July 2006
The Act sets the regulatory role of the Bank of Tanzania in monetary policy and the supervision of banks and financial institutions4. It commenced on 1 July 2006 by commencement notice64.
Recent changes: Amended by Finance Acts of 2009, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 and by the Microfinance Act 201864.
Insurance Act, 2009Act No. 10 of 2009, Cap. 394Assent 12 May 2009, published 15 May 2009, commenced 1 July 2009
The Act establishes the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority66. It commenced on 1 July 2009 by commencement notice67. TIRA was established under section 5 and coordinates insurance policy in the United Republic68.
Microfinance Act, 2018Act No. 10 of 2018Assent 21 November 2018, published 23 November 2018, commenced 1 November 2019
The Act provides for the licensing, regulation and supervision of microfinance business in Mainland Tanzania15. It commenced on 1 November 2019 and amended the Bank of Tanzania Act, the Banking and Financial Institutions Act and the Cooperative Societies Act69. Zanzibar has a separate Zanzibar Microfinance Service Act, No. 9 of 202370.
Recent changes: Amended by the Finance Act, 202469.
Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund Act, 1994Act No. 9 of 1994, Cap. 401 R.E. 20021994 (assent and commencement dates not verified)
The Act established the Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund to finance the importation and distribution of agricultural inputs through loans71. The Act is listed as No. 9 of 1994 in the Parliament register34.
Capital Markets and Securities Act, 1994Act No. 5 of 1994, Cap. 79Assent 10 April 1994 (written 10/4/94), commenced 1 October 1994 (TanzLII)
The Act established the Capital Markets and Securities Authority to promote an orderly, fair and efficient capital market73. CMSA became operational in the 1995/1996 financial year74.
Recent changes: Amended in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015 by the Commodity Exchanges Act and in 202275.
Commodity Exchanges Act, 2015Act No. 19 of 2015Assent 4 August 2015, published 18 September 2015, commencement by ministerial notice
The Act provides for the management of commodity exchanges and of persons who accept commodities on exchanges in physical or electronic form13. The Tanzania Mercantile Exchange operates under CMSA regulation and has operated since 201876.
Bank of Tanzania (Credit Reference Bureau) Regulations, 2012 and Banking and Financial Institutions (Credit Reference Databank) Regulations, 2012Regulations under the Bank of Tanzania Act and BAFIA2012
The Bank of Tanzania lists both credit reference regulations of 2012 among its supervisory instruments and supervises credit reference bureaus70. Adults with records in the credit reference system reached 8.89 million at end-December 2025 compared with 2.75 million in 202377.
Movable Property Security Interests Bill, 2026 (Muswada wa Sheria ya Mikopo kwa Dhamana za Mali Zinazohamishika)Bill No. 2 of 2026Gazetted 15 January 2026, first reading 6 February 2026, passed 31 August 2026, no Act recorded in Parliament's register of Acts by 17 October 2026
The Bill provides for security interests in movable property and establishes a Collateral Registry within the Bank of Tanzania78. It applies to Mainland Tanzania and commences on a date set by ministerial notice78. Parliament passed the Bill on 31 August 202626.
Source: TanzLII · Laws.Africa · Bunge — A dash means the date was not printed in the copy consulted. For the 2026 Bills, no corresponding Act had been recorded in Parliament's register of Acts by 17 October 2026. 'By ministerial notice' means the Act commences on a date set by notice in the Gazette, and the notice was not located.
8.4
Strategies and plans
National Agricultural Policy, 2013Policy (Ministry of Agriculture)2013
The ASDP II programme document refers to implementing the National Agricultural Policy (2013), including a National Extension Strategy and a legal framework for extension services12. The Parliament Acts register lists no Act titled Agriculture Act, and the 2013 instrument is a policy rather than a statute34.
Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase II (ASDP II)Government Programme Document, May 2016Programme document May 2016, programme period 2016/17 to 2025/26 in the document, first phase 2017/18 to 2022/23 per the Ministry
ASDP II is a ten-year sector programme with four components on water and land use, productivity, commercialisation and value addition, and sector enablers12. Its illustrative financing plan totals TSh 7,882,948 million including contingencies, with Government at TSh 3,022,399 million12. The Ministry describes two five-year phases with the first phase in 2017/2018 to 2022/202381.
Agenda 10/30Ministry of Agriculture policy agendaTargets set for 2030, annual reporting by the Ministry of Agriculture (second annual report covers FY 2023/24)
Agenda 10/30 targets 10 percent growth of the crop sub-sector, agricultural exports of US$5 billion, irrigation of 50 percent of area and post-harvest losses in single digits by 203082. The Building a Better Tomorrow programme is a tool for its implementation82.
Tanzania Agriculture Master Plan 2050 (Agricultural Transformation Master Plan 2050)Ministry of Agriculture planLaunched in FY 2023/24 per the Ministry annual report
The Ministry reports that it launched the Agricultural Transformation Master Plan 2050 during FY 2023/202482. The plan follows the ASDP II review, aligns with Dira 2050 and the Kampala Declaration on CAADP 2026-2035, and is coordinated through four agricultural development corridors under the Agricultural Transformation Office23.
Tanzania Development Vision 2025National long-term visionVision period to 2025, evaluation published July 2024
The National Planning Commission publishes the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 and an evaluation of its implementation posted in July 202483. Dira 2050 reports that agricultural growth remained below 4 percent under TDV 202524.
Tanzania Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050)National long-term vision, National Planning CommissionPublished 2025
Dira 2050 aims at a one trillion US dollar economy with average GDP per capita of US$7,000 by 205024. It names agriculture among the priority sectors for transformation24.
Third and Fourth Five-Year Development Plans (FYDP III 2021/22-2025/26, FYDP IV 2026/27-2030/31)National medium-term plansFYDP III June 2021, FYDP IV posted 12 August 2026
FYDP III has a resource envelope estimated at TZS 114.8 trillion19. FYDP IV aims to mobilise USD 183 billion (TZS 477.7 trillion) over five years25. FYDP IV targets real agricultural GDP growth of 10 percent and agricultural credit of 20 percent of total credit by 2030/31, from baselines of 4.1 percent (2024) and 14.9 percent (2023)25.
National Livestock Policy, 2006 (Sera ya Taifa ya Mifugo)Policy, Ministry of Livestock DevelopmentDecember 2006
The National Livestock Policy was issued by the Ministry of Livestock Development in December 2006 and covers beef, small ruminant and dairy development85. The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries lists it among its current policies57.
National Irrigation Policy, 2010Policy, Ministry of Water and IrrigationFebruary 2010
The policy identifies an irrigation development potential of 29.4 million hectares86. Only 310,745 hectares had improved irrigation infrastructure as of June 200986.
National Financial Inclusion Framework 2023-2028Third NFIF, National Council for Financial Inclusion2023, mid-term evaluation June 2026
The framework is the third under the National Council for Financial Inclusion and names smallholder farmers and fishers as a priority segment87. Uptake of formal financial services by smallholder farmers rose from 55 percent in 2017 to 70 percent in 202387. For the TADB smallholder credit guarantee scheme the mid-term evaluation reports TZS 117.65 billion of loans facilitated as at 31 December 2025, without stating whether this is a cumulative or an outstanding amount77.
Source: NPC — Fourth Five-Year Development Plan 2026/27–2030/31, Table 3.4. These are targets. Baselines are as printed in the plan and some were set before the 2019 GDP revision.
ASDP II financing plan by financier
Financier
TZS million
US$ million
Share (%)
Government
3,022,399
1,406
38
Development partners, on budget
2,927,953
1,362
37
Development partners, off budget
1,538,733
716
20
Beneficiaries
393,863
–
5
Total
7,882,948
–
100
Source: URT — ASDP II programme document of May 2016, Table 56. Planned amounts for a ten-year programme, including contingencies, converted to dollars by the document itself. They are not disbursements.
8.5
International commitments and trade
Treaty for the Establishment of the East African CommunityEAC Treaty (2000)Tanzania joined July 2000 as a founding member
Tanzania joined the EAC in July 2000 as a founding member and hosts the EAC Headquarters88. The Community has eight Partner States88.
Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade AreaAU treaty adopted 21 March 2018Signed 21 March 2018, ratified and deposited 17 January 2022
Tanzania signed the AfCFTA Agreement on 21 March 2018 and deposited its ratification on 17 January 2022 according to the AU status list of 22 May 202690.
ASDP II presents TAFSIP as Tanzania's CAADP investment plan and cites the Malabo commitment to allocate at least 10 percent of public expenditure to agriculture12. The Ministry of Agriculture aligns its budget and the Agriculture Master Plan 2050 with the Kampala Declaration on CAADP 2026-203523.
AI-assisted content, human-reviewed: This page was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by a human editor. (last review: October 2026) Despite review, errors or outdated values may remain; please verify critical figures against the linked primary sources before relying on them. Nothing here is investment, legal or financial advice.
