DODOMA (Tanzania), Aug 9 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA is poised to increase its agricultural exports to 2.6 billion US dollars (about 7tri/-) this financial year, up from 2.3 billion US dollars (6.2tri/-) in the previous year.
The significant transformation in the agriculture sector is attributed to the efforts of the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
When President Samia assumed office, agricultural exports were at 800 million US dollars (about 2.2 tri/-).
The recent surge is credited to the sector’s budget increase, which has risen from 275bn/- in 2021/2022 to over 1tri/-.
Speaking at the climax of Nane Nane celebrations at the Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma, Minister for Agriculture Hussein Bashe highlighted that the growth is a result of the agricultural transformation implemented by the sixth phase government.
He also announced that the country aims to achieve 130 per cent food sufficiency this financial year. Last financial year, food sufficiency had risen to 128 per cent from 124 per cent in the previous year, with the ruling party CCM Election Manifesto for 2020-2025 setting a target of 130 per cent.
During the foundation stone laying for the Central Agriculture Reference Laboratory in Dodoma, Bashe emphasised the laboratory’s role as a referral centre for all agricultural facilities in Tanzania, aimed at strengthening food security.
“To ensure international certification for plant health, this project will help address the challenge faced by agroproduct traders who currently need to send soil samples abroad for certification,” he explained.
The laboratory will also serve as the headquarters for the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI).
The project, initiated in March 2023, is expected to be completed by December this year.
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Abdallah Ulega said that following President Samia’s directives, the ministry will launch a nationwide livestock vaccination and identification campaign, with 50 per cent of the costs subsidised.
In an effort to support women, who primarily engage in poultry farming, the ministry will provide free vaccinations for all chickens in the country.
Additionally, the government plans to empower fishermen with affordable loans, 450 boats and over 900 fish cages.
Ulega also said that the government has allocated 1.1bn/- in loans to youths involved in livestock through the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme, facilitated by the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB).
In line with the CCM manifesto, the ministry will collaborate with the private sector to bolster the livestock sector.
The CCM manifesto 2020-2025 pledges to transform agriculture, livestock and fisheries to ensure consistent food security and contribute to economic development.
The manifesto outlines strategies to increase food production, enhance animal husbandry and fisheries, boost productivity in these sectors and strengthen cooperatives.
It also emphasises improving infrastructure and expanding irrigation to enable year-round crop production.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule commended the government’s efforts in setting up irrigation systems, providing seeds and supporting agriculture.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that these investments benefit the local population and drive economic reform.
On behalf of the Parliamentary Committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock, Mariamu Mzuzuri praised the government’s commitment to achieving the 10/30 agenda and noted the substantial increase in the agriculture sector’s budget from 275bn/- to over 1tri/. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
