Tanzania: New impetus for agriculture

He said that the resolutions major aim was to enable small and large scale farmers to go high-tech in agriculture, but cautioned that the whole idea would work out only if farmers worked hard in their farms. He challenged farmers to be inquisitive in learning new techniques and adopting new technologies and refrain from traditional dependence on rain water for cultivation.

President Kikwete noted that the country had over 29 million hectares of land suitable for irrigation, but only one per cent or 400,000 hectares were now under irrigation. The resolution intends to increase the irrigation budget to at least cover 7 million hectares and raise the agricultural budget to 10 per cent of the national budget by 2010/11.

Mr Kikwete said the resolution will also emphasise the incorporation of the private sector in the agricultural fold, an element which has been lacking for so long.

He said that the Agricultural Development Bank would soon be established to enable farmers access loans for their pursuits, explaining that preliminary preparations for its establishment in collaboration with the Chinese government were now at an advanced stage.

Despite hailing participants for displaying various agricultural produce at 16th Nanenane shows at the Nzuguni Grounds, President Kikwete said that more was yet to be done, especially on the quality of the produce and modernisation of agriculture.

He said that lack of adequate quality seed, fertilizers, pesticides, technology, reliable markets, processing industries and extension officers were some of the major challenges facing the sector.

The president noted that over 75 per cent of the quality seed in the country was being imported, explaining that plans were, however, underway to strengthen research institutes and increase land for seed, in order to boost production of quality seed in the country.

The president said his government had employed over 2,000 extension officers and more others have been enrolled for training in various colleges and the government guaranteed them jobs upon completion of their training. He warned power-tiller dealers not to hike prices of the implements, as the government had declared them duty free.

Earlier, the Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Co-operatives, Mr Stephen Wasira, said that the country had a long way to go in achieving the desirable results in the agricultural sector.

Mr Wasira said Kilimo Kwanza needed support by all key government ministries to achieve its objectives. It should be noted that no country has succeeded in green revolution without prioritising the agricultural sector, the minister said.

Daily News