Posted on May, 3, 2016 at 09:23 am
By Faustine Kapama
Dodoma — The extent of the outbreak of crop pests and diseases in the country has caused famers to suffer loss of over 270bn/-, it has been revealed. Amount lost due to grain loss in 2005/2006, according to a report presented by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) before the National Assembly on Monday, was approximately 240bn/-.
The CAG, Prof Musa Assad, likewise pointed out the impact of quelea quelea was high in 2014, whereby 1,344 hectares were affected, causing a loss of almost 4,704 tons, costing approximately 4.704bn/-.
Furthermore, the report on the implementation of strategies for managing agricultural crop pests and diseases outbreak in Tanzania shows that as from January 2014 to November 2014, about 2,964,240 banana plants were infected with Banana Xanthomonas wilt.
Prof Assad further indicates in the report that to prevent further spread of the disease, about 2,877,653 banana plants with monetary value of 28,776,530,000/- were uprooted, which is actually a loss of income to farmers.
In Tanzania, the agricultural sector is central to sustainable development of the country as it contributes to almost 24 per cent of the country's GDP. Equally, agriculture is a leading sector that employs majority of its citizens approximately 75 per cent of the whole population, the majority of which reside in rural areas.
The management of agricultural crop pests and diseases outbreaks in Tanzania has not adequately reduced the impact caused by the outbreaks as in most parts of Tanzania as there is a public outcry regarding productivity loss prevailing in the country.
Crop pests and diseases outbreaks contribute to more yields loss. This situation prompted the audit office to carry out a performance audit on management of agricultural crop pests and diseases outbreaks in Tanzania by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
The audit by the CAG found that agricultural crop pests and diseases outbreaks were a threat to farmers and nearly all regions in Tanzania were affected.
Local Government authorities affected range from four to 66 while the area infested ranges from 81 hectares to 200,000 hectares. He, therefore, recommends to the ministry to emphasise on conducting surveillance for early identification of pests and diseases to minimise yield loss and cost of controlling outbreaks.
The ministry, according to the CAG, should establish mechanisms that would improve sharing of outbreak information with the President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government - and coordinate smooth intervention on management of Agricultural Crop Pests and Diseases outbreaks.
The CAG also recommends that the President's Office should strengthen mechanisms that will improve sharing of outbreak information with the responsible ministry. It should also ensure that local government authorities incorporate the aspect of management of agricultural pests and diseases outbreaks in their strategic plans.
Source: Tanzania Daily News