CREATE Reveals Key Findings on the Future of Agricultural Skills in Tanzania and Europe
New comparative analysis highlights urgent need for green, digital and climate-resilient skills across the agricultural sector
The CREATE project has successfully completed one of its most important milestones with the publication of a comprehensive comparative needs analysis exploring the current state of agricultural vocational education and training (VET) in Tanzania and across the European Union.
Developed under Work Package 2, the study provides an in-depth examination of the opportunities, challenges and skills needs shaping the future of agriculture in both regions. The analysis combines extensive desk research, policy reviews, stakeholder consultations, field visits and a large-scale survey involving 177 respondents from Tanzania and EU countries, representing farmers, trainers, policymakers, private sector actors, NGOs and development organisations.
The findings paint a clear picture: despite operating in very different economic and institutional contexts, Tanzania and Europe are facing remarkably similar challenges. Agriculture is being transformed by climate change, technological innovation and changing labour market demands, yet training systems are struggling to keep pace.
One of the strongest messages emerging from the research concerns the growing demand for digital and climate-smart competences. Stakeholders from both Tanzania and Europe identified significant shortages in areas such as digital agriculture, sustainable farming practices, climate adaptation, entrepreneurship and business management.
The study also highlights a widespread perception that existing training programmes are not fully aligned with the realities of the agricultural labour market. Many respondents expressed concerns that current curricula remain too theoretical, insufficiently connected to employers, and slow to integrate emerging topics such as climate resilience, green technologies and digital innovation.
Another important finding relates to the future of the agricultural workforce itself. Both Tanzania and Europe face challenges in attracting and retaining young people within the sector. While Europe is confronted with an ageing farming population, Tanzania must overcome barriers related to access to land, financing, training opportunities and employment prospects. In both contexts, making agriculture more attractive, innovative and future-oriented has emerged as a strategic priority.
The analysis also underlines the importance of stronger cooperation between vocational education providers, employers, policymakers and local communities. Stakeholders consistently pointed to the need for more practical training opportunities, improved public-private partnerships and greater involvement of industry actors in curriculum design and skills forecasting.
At the same time, the research reveals encouraging signs. Awareness of sustainability and green skills is increasing rapidly in both regions, while participation in climate-smart and environmentally focused agricultural initiatives continues to grow. The findings demonstrate a strong willingness among stakeholders to embrace innovation and contribute to a greener and more resilient agricultural future.
Beyond identifying challenges, the study highlights significant opportunities for mutual learning between Tanzania and the European Union. European partners can share experiences related to policy frameworks, quality assurance mechanisms and digital innovation, while Tanzanian stakeholders offer valuable expertise in community-based approaches, grassroots resilience and locally adapted sustainability practices.
The results of this comparative analysis will directly inform the next phases of the CREATE project, including curriculum development, capacity-building activities, training programmes and the creation of innovative tools designed to strengthen Agricultural VET providers and support climate-resilient agriculture in Tanzania.
By grounding future actions in evidence gathered directly from stakeholders, CREATE is ensuring that its solutions respond to real needs and contribute to long-term, sustainable impact across the agricultural education ecosystem.
About CREATE
CREATE (Climate Change Resilience for Tanzania’s Agricultural VET Ecosystem) is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training project that aims to strengthen the responsiveness, quality and relevance of agricultural VET in Tanzania. Through international cooperation, capacity building and innovation, the project supports the development of green skills, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural practices.
To know more about the project, please visit:
Official website: https://cbcreate.eu/
Learning platform: https://learning.cbcreate.eu/
Funding Disclaimer
CREATE is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
