Farming and business opportunities in Tanzania have become increasingly attractive for residents of Haryana, as the state government collaborates with the Centre to strengthen trade relations with the East African nation. Entrepreneurs and farmers from Haryana are actively exploring markets in Tanzania following a government initiative aimed at promoting investment in the region.
The Haryana government, with support from the Centre, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for one lakh acres of farmland in Tanzania, according to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. “Trade cooperation with African countries is being continuously expanded, focusing on key sectors like mining, plywood, agriculture, and IT,” Saini noted in an official statement.
Among those venturing into Tanzania’s agricultural landscape is Somveer Ghasola, a 58-year-old from Dadri near Bhiwani, who has purchased land in the country and established a mining operation close to Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital. Ghasola highlighted the availability of large, fertile plots at low prices, ideal for various crops, and noted the accessibility to global markets that enhances business prospects.
“The land is mineral-rich, yielding excellent crops. It lies strategically between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, and I am experiencing benefits since I ventured into the Tanzanian market,” Ghasola told PTI. He credited former Chief Minister Manohar Lal for motivating entrepreneurs to explore international opportunities.
Ghasola emphasized that young people considering illegal and risky routes to Europe and the U.S. should instead explore opportunities in African markets like Tanzania. Another entrepreneur, Shiv Kumar Kamboj, 49, from Yamunanagar, recently acquired a factory from a Chinese national in Tanzania, where he processes eucalyptus wood into core veneer used in plywood manufacturing.
Kamboj described the economic advantages of his venture, noting that wood costs in Tanzania are significantly lower—about one-fourth of the price in Haryana—and labor costs are also cheaper. The Haryana government’s Foreign Cooperation Department has provided assistance in his business endeavors. Kamboj visited Tanzania three years ago before purchasing the factory last year.
Haryana Industry and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh remarked that the state is embarking on a new chapter of industrial growth while establishing a solid global presence. “Haryana is exploring trade and investment opportunities not only with developed countries but also with African nations,” he stated. A Haryana government delegation plans to visit Tanzania later this year to participate in the 50th Dar-es-Salaam International Trade Fair, Tanzania’s premier trade event, where a dedicated Haryana pavilion will be established.
Singh noted the rich mineral resources and favorable farming conditions in African countries, with plans for representatives from agriculture, trade, IT, and pharmaceuticals to join the delegation and enhance cooperation between Haryana and Tanzania in these sectors.
Published on May 3, 2026.
