Posted on November, 16, 2018 at 10:54 am
INVESTORS in the agricultural sector in the Southern Highland regions have expressed their delight over environmental conservation efforts by Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), which aims at boosting production and increase efficiency in farming activities.
They expressed their joy at a meeting organized by SAGCOT’s environmental conservation task force which brought together investors and government officials with the aim of creating awareness on environmental laws.
Speaking over the task force’s efforts in training investors on the importance of environmental conservation, SAGCOT Environmental Expert, Mr John Banga said investors in the agricultural sector were impressed by the way they have been engaged in every step of the way.
“The meeting brought together investors with the intention of engaging them in finding ways of making sure that their investment considers the environment conservation as well as improving the conditions of people surrounding their investment areas,” he said.
Mr Banga added that SAGCOT is impressed with the way in which investors have appreciated their efforts in bringing them together and educating them on environmental conservation through Ihemi Cluster.
“What we have been able to efficiently accomplish is the way we have been able to influence investors to protect the environment and consider local people in ensuring that their investment is sustainable,” he said.
He added that through SAGCOT’s Green Reference Group (GRG), which focuses on sustainable agriculture, they have been able to successfully promote conservation on water sources, forest, land and other natural resources in the areas where agricultural investment is being undertaken.
“We have engaged middle and large investors who have understood our intention and expressed their willingness to take environmental conservation agenda seriously,” he said.
On his part, Shawangade Natai from the Ministry of Agriculture said the move was crucial in making investors aware of what is required from them by the government, adding that it would help in reducing chances of conflicts.
“What is being done now confirms to the government’s objective of establishing this cluster, the idea was to have this cluster operating as a model for others to copy, the target was to make sure that Tanzania embarks on modern farming,” he said.
Source: Daily News