Haryana: In a significant development reflecting India’s evolving agricultural diplomacy, farmers from Haryana are increasingly exploring cultivation opportunities in Tanzania, backed by active support from the state government. The initiative, driven by Haryana’s Foreign Cooperation Department, aims to help farmers overcome domestic constraints such as high land prices and limited expansion capacity by tapping into global agricultural markets.
Officials say the state has identified nearly one lakh acres of farmland in Tanzania for potential use by Haryana farmers. The move is the result of over three years of sustained engagement, including official delegations, investor interactions, and strategic meetings between stakeholders from both regions.
The idea of overseas farming expansion was first promoted under the state’s “Go Global” strategy, introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and now being carried forward by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The government has since institutionalised efforts through a dedicated department to strengthen international partnerships in agriculture and allied sectors.
A key highlight of the initiative is the stark contrast in land costs between the two regions. In Haryana, agricultural land prices range between ₹25 lakh and over ₹1 crore per acre, making expansion difficult for most farmers. In contrast, land in Tanzania can be leased for ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 per acre for a 99-year period, offering a highly cost-effective alternative.
This affordability has already attracted early adopters. A farmer from Bhiwani district has secured a 99-year lease on 65 acres for around ₹1.5 crore, while another investor from Haryana has acquired 160 acres in Tanzania’s Morogoro region. These examples underscore the growing interest among farmers and agripreneurs in expanding operations overseas.
Experts and participating farmers point out that Tanzania offers several advantages, including fertile soil, favourable climatic conditions, and access to international trade routes via the Indian Ocean. These conditions are considered ideal for cultivating crops such as maize, rice, sugarcane, and horticultural produce, with particular emphasis on high-quality cashew cultivation.
The Haryana government is also working to ensure that farmers do not face legal or bureaucratic challenges while investing abroad. Officials are focusing on land verification, transparent agreements, and policy-level coordination with Tanzanian authorities, and are planning to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide long-term institutional support.
Beyond agriculture, the initiative is opening avenues for industrial and trade expansion. A Haryana-based entrepreneur from Yamunanagar has already established a wood-processing unit in Tanzania, employing local workers and producing eucalyptus-based veneer for global markets. The government believes such ventures will boost demand for agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, and agri-tech exports from Haryana.
The push also aligns with Haryana’s broader economic ambitions. The state contributes significantly to India’s agricultural exports, including a large share of Basmati rice exports, and is seeking to further strengthen its position through global engagement.
Chief Minister Saini has emphasised that Haryana’s relationship with African nations goes beyond commercial interests, describing it as “heart-to-heart” cooperation focused on knowledge sharing, skill development, and sustainable growth.
Policy analysts view the Tanzania initiative as part of a wider trend in which Indian states are exploring overseas agricultural models to address challenges such as land fragmentation, rising input costs, and declining farm profitability. However, they caution that the long-term success of such efforts will depend on regulatory clarity, infrastructure support, and consistent government facilitation.
A high-level Haryana delegation is expected to visit Tanzania in the coming months to assess on-ground opportunities and strengthen bilateral cooperation. If successfully implemented, the initiative could emerge as a landmark example of state-led global agricultural expansion, redefining how Indian farmers engage with international markets.
