Govt prioritises irrigation to drive Vision 2050

DIRECTOR General of the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC), Mr Raymond Mndolwa, has said the government has made deliberate decisions to invest heavily in irrigation farming to boost the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.

Speaking at the ongoing Farmers’ Exhibition (NaneNane) at Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma during a special forum for agricultural stakeholders implementing the Vision 2050 agenda, Mr Mndolwa said irrigation is crucial for transforming the agricultural sector from rain-fed dependency to reliable, climate-resilient farming.

“Since independence, the country has relied on rain-fed agriculture, but the certainty of harvests under such a system is very low.

The government has therefore decided to invest in irrigation. When you look at our Vision’s targets for the irrigation sector, you can see how agricultural growth will be achieved through dependable farming that does not rely on rainfall, ultimately enabling citizens to grow their incomes and the country to reach middle-income status,” he said.

ALSO READ: Banking booms, but Vision 2050 needs more

Mr Mndolwa said the Commission’s plans also aim to ensure that the nation can withstand the effects of climate change while improving the livelihoods of Tanzanians through sustainable agriculture.

“To achieve this goal, the Commission is continuing to implement various projects, including major strategic dams and the drilling of wells. The available machinery will be distributed to farmers through their respective councils to ensure access to irrigation infrastructure,” he added.

He stressed that the government’s objective is to ensure that the Commission plays a significant role in implementing the Vision 2050 agenda by fostering modern, climate-smart and commercially viable farming practices.