Posted on October, 11, 2018 at 10:38 am
THE government has applauded companies supplying farm inputs, provision of extension services and soil analysis for being proactive in addressing challenges facing farmers in the southern highlands regions.
Speaking over the weekend, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Dr Mary Mwanjelwa, said the government recognized the good work of companies in supporting development and growth of agriculture in Tanzania.
“You are our partners in the agriculture sector. We value your contribution towards developing the sector,” Dr Mwanjelwa said.
Dr Mwanjelwa who was speaking at the event organized by YARA Tanzania in Rukwa Sumbawanga’s Mpul Ward that attracted officials from 19 Agriculture and Marketing Organizations (AMCos) involved in the project dubbed-Farm to Market Alliance (FTMA) sponsored by the World Food Programme, said the ministry was currently taking different measures to revolutionizing agriculture.
YARA Tanzania was among the companies that were applauded by the deputy minister for supporting the sector's growth. Other included Obo Investment (YARA’s Distributor), Seedco, WFP, Briten, Musoma Foods and AGRA.
The minister who was accompanied by several government officials from Sumbawanga District Council called on the district councils to ensure that a conducive environment is prevailed for such companies to work efficiently and smoothly.
“You have been supplementing the government word by providing extension services and training. We need Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) to be strengthened and we will be glad if they will opt to enter partnership with some of these companies,” she said.
Dr Mwanjelwa said that because farmers have attained trainings from extension officers, cooperative trainings, timely access to farm input and their soil are analyzed; they must increase efficiency in their farming activities.
She appreciated YARA Tanzania for a timely supplying fertilizer to farmers in collaboration with several other companies, adding that such efforts have immensely contributed in the agricultural development.
“Your work leads to the empowerment of our farmers but you also empower cooperatives and when we (the government) are proud of having empowered cooperatives, we cannot underestimate your roles,” she said.
She called on other stakeholders to emulate the spirit by entering into partnership with farmers and AMCOS, adding that farmers have land but they need technologies and other improved techniques to increase efficiency and productivity, thus getting profits from their produce.
“I would like to emphasize a win-win situation, this partnership should not benefit to one side, it would be unfair if these companies are the ones benefiting more,” she said.
The YARA Tanzania commercial manager in the southern highlands zone, John Meshack Rotich said YARA was supporting the government agenda of creating a mid-income country by making sure that the agriculture sector is improved.
“In this project we are making sure that there is timely delivery of fertilizer. YARA supply quality fertilizer and as we speak now fertilizer is available in abundance at our distributor Obo Investment here in Sumbawanga.
Obo Investment among others is our distributor for Rukwa and Katavi regions,” Meshark explained.
Source: IPP Media