Posted on June, 7, 2018 at 11:27 am
By Ludger Kasumuni
Dar es Salaam — The Fertiliser Bulk Procurement System (BPS) has increased distribution of the input in the country.
The minister for Agriculture, Mr Charles Tizeba, said as of March 318,000 tonnes were distributed, which represents a 40 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Speaking during the launch of the second phase of the Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP II) yesterday, Dr Tizeba said that despite the challenges facing the fertiliser BPS, the new system was working efficiently with farmers enjoying low prices.
"The new system, the bulk procurement system, doesn't use the government's funds instead businessmen spend their money, but the government regulates prices," he said.
The new system puts emphasis on locally produced agricultural inputs though the procurement system, according to him.
On challenges, the minister named some as rising demand for raw materials for newly established factories and a shortage of extension workers.
The ASDP II has four areas of emphasis, which focus on few agricultural crops that provide high value chain, according to the minister.
The four areas of priorities are; Sustainable use of water and land, increase of efficiency level by increasing agricultural harvests, achieving value addition, improving predictability and an increase in total budget.
Under the ASDP II, the total budget plan was Sh13.8 trillion and Sh2.2 trillion was set aside for the 2018/19 financial year.
The government pledged Sh943 billion during the 2018/19 fiscal year and the councils will receive Sh36 billion, he said.
Source: The Citizen