Posted on February, 6, 2019 at 08:40 am
AGRICULTURE Minister Japhet Hasunga yesterday met and held talks with the British High Commissioner to Tanzania Sarah Cooke, the meeting which aimed at cementing relationship in the agriculture sector.
During the meeting, Hasunga said that the two countries had very long historical ties that need to be maintained and honoured for mutual benefits.
The minister informed High Commissioner Cooke that the government of Tanzania is taking a number of initiatives aimed at transforming the agriculture sector and lives of its people.
According to him, to achieve the goal the government has adopted a strategy to register all farmers in the country so as to identify their number and the amount of land they cultivate, including an estimate of their produce per year so as to link them to local and foreign markets.
He said the move was also aimed to enable the government to set appropriate development plans for farmers that would increase efficiency and production of crops in the country.
“The strategy will enable farmers increase their incomes through better access to national, regional and international markets, by enhancing quality and standards compliance along the value chain thus reduce poverty,” Hasunga said.
The minister said that, to the moment, all tobacco growers were already been registered and furnished with special Identification Cards (IDs).
“The government is also well prepared to increased investment in agriculture research, a move which will provide solutions to various challenges facing farmers and the whole sector in the country,” he added.
For her part, High Commissioner Cooke expressed her pleasure on how the agriculture minister and his team under the leadership of President John Magufuli were taking all possible measures to transform the agriculture sector.
She noted that Tanzania is a unique businesses and investment destination that seeks to become a middle-income country while championing industrialisation, with the goal of fighting unemployment and poverty.
The envoy further said; “I and my country will spare no efforts in carrying forward our all-weather friendship, deepening our cooperation in all sectors, striving to further strengthen our comprehensive partnership.”
Source: IPP Media