Posted on August, 1, 2024 at 09:36 am
THE Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) yesterday marked the successful conclusion of the EU-funded Multilateral Environmental Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP MEAs 3) programme.
This initiative, which has been instrumental in advancing agricultural and environmental sustainability in Tanzania, has achieved notable successes over the past three years.
Project officials reported that the ACP MEAs 3 programme has made substantial strides in enhancing agricultural practices and promoting environmental conservation.
Key accomplishments include the establishment of 23 farmer field schools, the provision of gender-responsive farm tools and support for beekeepers.
The project has also contributed to environmental conservation through efforts such as mangrove forest regeneration and the identification of harmful pesticides.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli, commended FAO and its partners for their pivotal role in the project’s success.
“This project has been a beacon of progress and innovation in our agricultural sector. The achievements we celebrate today highlight the power of collaborative effort towards shared goals,” Mweli said.
He emphasized the importance of continuing to build on this foundation to ensure sustainable, productive and inclusive agricultural practices.
Mr Mweli also acknowledged the critical financial support from the European Union, which has been vital for the project’s success.
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FAO Country Representative, Dr Tipo Nyabenyi echoed Mweli’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the Tanzanian government’s support.
“The government’s commitment has been crucial in achieving the remarkable outcomes we see today,” Dr Nyabenyi said.
She also recognized the contributions of various entities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Tanzania (PO-RALG) and the Office of the Vice President.
As the ACP MEAs 3 project draws to a close, attention now turns to sustaining its achievements and addressing ongoing challenges in the agricultural sector.
The FAO, in partnership with the European Union, UN Environment Programme and the Secretariat of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, will continue to build capacities at national, regional and global levels.
This includes promoting ecosystem based practices and improving pesticide management.
Since its launch in 2021, the project has reached 1,269 direct beneficiaries through its farmer field schools and impacted 4,148 additional individuals indirectly.
It has supported 300 beekeepers with modern equipment valued at 35,000 US dollars and provided 360 farmers with gender-responsive tools worth 20,400 US dollars.
The project has also regenerated 5 hectares of degraded mangrove forests, identified 24 Highly Hazardous Pesticides for deregistration and contributed to the review of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan through wetland assessments.
The closing ceremony was attended by Regional Agricultural Advisors from Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya, Arusha and Kilimanjaro, as well as key technical team members from various ministries and organizations, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and MVIWATA.
District focal persons, farmer representatives from the six project districts and members of the press were also present.
The event not only celebrated the achievements of the ACP MEAs 3 project but also highlighted the ongoing need for collaboration and innovation in sustainable agricultural development and environmental conservation in Tanzania.
Source: Daily News