Posted on November, 29, 2018 at 10:54 am
AGRICULTURE Minister Japhet Hasunga has called upon various stakeholders to ensure that they set priorities, while disbursing imported fertilisers from Dar es Salaam port and save farmers from additional costs they may incur as end users in the chain.
The Minister made the pledge yesterday in Dar es Salaam, while visiting the headquarters of Yara Tanzania that is one of the big companies, which import and distribute fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers countrywide.
He said that farmers for being end users, bear some avoidable costs when offloading and clearing fertiliser procedures are delayed in the city.
“We shall ensure that all stakeholders cooperate to avoid delays in offloading and clearing fertiliser from the port. The delays add onto the farmers’ avoidable costs, and interfere with their planting and growing schedule,” added Mr Hasunga, hinting further that their objective was to ensure that various fertilisers and other inputs reach the farmers in time to compete in the markets.
In another development, the minister hailed the company for testing farmer’s soil before selling them the products, saying that soil tests save farmers from buying excess fertilisers and unnecessary products.
On his side, Yara Tanzania General Manager, Mr William Ngeno described the minister’s visit as an encouragement to their workers to work hard. He said that the company also offers various training and education to farmers countrywide, besides soil tests to ascertain ‘soil health’ before selling products to them.
“We ensure that a farmer knows the amount of fertiliser he needs to put in his farm in order to get best results,” Mr Ngeno said.
He said that his company appreciates measures and efforts being taken by the Fifth Phase government under the stewardship of President John Pombe Magufuli of transforming the agricultural sector.
“We are working hand in hand with all other stakeholders in agriculture and we are partners in this sector. We are also going to work very closely with the government to ensure their targets are accomplished,” he emphasized.
According to Mr Ngeno, the minister’s visit to Yara was a testimony that the government values their contributions in the sector.
Source: Daily News