ARUSHA, Tanzania, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's revenue accrued from the horticulture industry is projected to double in the next three years, a senior official from the country's private sector said on Monday.
Godfrey Simbeye, executive director of Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, said that the revenue will grow to 1.3 billion U.S. dollars by 2020, from 640 million dollars registered last year.
If the projections are realized, he said, horticultulture would surpass tourism and hospitality to become the country's biggest foreign exchange earner.
Simbeye said the horticulture sector is showing prospects of turning the country's economic fortunes around, and that the private sector is committed to such a cause.
"The country stands to reap big from the horticulture sector and it is just a matter of time before it topples the tourism industry," Simbeye said when speaking on the sidelines of a two-day International Horticulture Stakeholders Conference in Arusha.
The horticulture industry, which embraces the production, processing, and shipping of and the market for fruits and vegetables, employs 2.5 million Tanzanians.
Mbeya Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla said the government is willing to work with the private sector to bolster the horticulture industry.
"We will continue to work closely with the private sector and other investors to ensure that we tackle poverty and improve food security and nutrition through this lucrative industry," Makalla said.
He said the industry has in the last five years posted an 11 percent growth.
"The industry is indeed blossoming and the government is committed to engaging the private sector in making it the number one sector in the country," he added.
Daudi Riganda, northern zone manager of the Tanzania Investment Center, said his office will continue to create business linkages among key players in the industry.
