Vice President Dr Philip Mpango has said that export of agricultural products has become a vital source of the increased foreign currency. Gracing Farmers’ Day famously known as Nanenane in Mbeya on Tuesday, VP said Tanzania has exported maize worth 71.5 million US dollars this year compared to only 57.097 million US dollars generated last year. He further said that the value of sesame crops exported has increased from 123 million US dollars in 2021 to 143.8 million US dollars in 2022. Due to the growing trend, the VP called out to farmers across the country to increase production of food crops so that the country can be self-sufficient in food and earn more foreign currency. He applauded the contribution of youth and women in agriculture.“Youth and women are those who contribute mostly in the production activity, processing, the distribution and sale of food in both local and foreign markets,” the Vice President said. Speaking earlier, the Minister for Agriculture Mr Hussein Bashe said that local farmers have produced more than 20 million tonnes of food, up from 17 million tonnes last season.The Minister also disclosed that the government is currently upgrading Mbeya and Dodoma grounds to accommodate international exhibitions.Nane Nane Day (August 8th) is an annual celebration that recognizes the important contribution of farmers to the national Tanzanian economy.