Green Reference Group (GRG)

Formerly SAGCOT Green Reference Group (GRG)

The AGCOT Sustainable and Integrated/Participatory Agriculture Group (GRG) is a multi-stakeholder advisory and accountability platform under AGCOT Centre, committed to ensuring that Tanzania’s agricultural transformation is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and climate-resilient. Building on the foundation laid by SAGCOT’s Green Reference Group (GRG), it operates as a collaborative space to guide investments, policies, and operations that align with national and international sustainability standards.

🔍 Justification

Tanzania’s agricultural expansion must safeguard its natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity. The AGCOT Sustainable and Integrated/Participatory Agriculture Group ensures that growth in agricultural corridors is both profitable and responsible—supporting long-term productivity, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic empowerment. The platform enables AGCOT to integrate green compliance, risk management, and inclusive planning into its national expansion model.

🎯 Objective

The group’s core objective is to provide strategic guidance and technical advice to AGCOT Centre and its partners on environmental integrity, social safeguards, and climate-smart agriculture. It identifies sustainability opportunities, mitigates risks stemming from environmental degradation, and promotes inclusive green growth across Tanzania’s agricultural corridors.

⚙️ Working Principles

Operates on a consensus-based decision-making model
Adheres to international best practices, including the Polluter Pays Principle and UN environmental guidelines
Promotes innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge to enhance the sustainable use of natural resources
Supports the implementation of national environmental laws (e.g., Environmental Management Act, 2004) and long-term strategic planning

👥 Membership

IGGP membership reflects AGCOT’s public-private partnership model, ensuring representation from:

Government (e.g., Vice President’s Office, Ministries of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Tourism, Lands, and Local Government)
Private Sector (including agribusinesses, farmers, and industry bodies)
Development Partners (e.g., UNEP, RNE)
Civil Society Organizations (e.g., WWF, CARE International, IUCN, AWF, TNC)
Technical Experts and Scientific Advisors

All members are formally recognized AGCOT Partners, with additional advisory roles fulfilled by invited professionals based on specific technical expertise.

🔄 Operations

IGGP functions as an informal yet structured advisory group, supporting both national and regional implementation of inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices.
The platform is co-chaired by the Vice President’s Office (representing the Government of Tanzania) and a private sector representative, typically from CEOrt.
At the regional level, activities are coordinated by Regional Administrative Secretaries in collaboration with private sector partners.
IGGP provides technical input into investment planning using the Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) Tool, helping businesses of all sizes integrate sustainability into their strategies.

🏆 Achievements

Cluster-Level Engagement: Since May 2016, IGGP has supported environmental compliance and sustainability planning at the Kongani (cluster) level.
Business Sustainability Assessments: Between May and December 2022, 41 agribusinesses self-assessed their sustainability alignment using the IGG Tool.
Cross-Stakeholder Dialogues: Facilitated high-level land-use governance dialogues with global and local partners (e.g., The Forests Dialogue – USA) to enhance land management, commercial responsibility, and investment accountability.
Land Zoning Innovations: Piloted and refined the “Land Zone Approach” to address overlapping land-use claims and promote equitable, sustainable development.

🚀 Way Forward

As AGCOT expands across the country, IGGP will remain pivotal in ensuring that all interventions reflect Tanzania’s commitment to:

✅ Climate resilience
✅ Inclusive value chains
✅ Environmental sustainability
✅ Nutrition-sensitive agriculture
✅ Women and youth empowerment

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