Nchimbi outlines CCM’s plan to spur key sectors

SAME: CCM presidential running mate, Ambassador Emmanuel Nchimbi has unveiled the party’s ambitious plan to accelerate reforms in agriculture, livestock and fisheries over the next five years.

He said the goal is to significantly increasing productivity and raising household incomes nationwide. Addressing campaign rallies in Mwanga and Same districts in Kilimanjaro Region, Amb Nchimbi said the ruling party has prioritised timely access to subsidised agricultural inputs, such as fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides and will fast-track the establishment of new irrigation schemes to promote modern, climate-resilient farming.

“In the next five years, a larger share of the national budget will be directed to agriculture.  This will ensure our farmers are no longer limited by lack of access to subsidised inputs and food production will continue to grow steadily,” Amb Nchimbi said, while commending residents of Mwanga and Same for embracing irrigation and ad- vanced farming practices.

He noted that Tanzania’s agricultural development budget has increased from 294bn/- in 2020 to over 1.2tri/- in the current fiscal year, underscoring the strong commitment of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the CCM government to trans- forming the sector.

In Mwanga District, Dr Nchimbi listed key achievements over the past four years, including an increase in irrigation projects from three to five, fertiliser subsidies reaching 6,891 tonnes and growth in food crop production from 24,500 to 49,569 tonnes.

He also pointed out progress in the livestock sec- tor, where the number of improved dairy heifers has grown from 300 to 1,000 and operational cattle dips have doubled from six to 12.

In fisheries, he said fish farming ponds have increased from 26 to 42, pushing fisher- men’s earnings from 70m/- to 130m/-.

In Same District, irrigation schemes have expanded from 12 to 15, with irrigated land growing from 13,100 to 14,240 hectares.

“This demonstrates that we are moving away from dependence on rainfall and are producing with greater reliability through irrigation,” said Dr Nchimbi.

He added that live- stock vaccinations in Same have risen from 148,032 to 367,214 doses and fish ponds have grown from 80 to 148, boosting income and creating new employment opportunities.

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Dr Nchimbi emphasised that CCM’s development agenda includes strengthening access to domestic and international markets for agri- cultural and fishery products and promoting value addition through small-scale processing industries.

“Same is a leading ginger producing district, and this has become a major source of income. We aim to attract more investment so that farmers can fully benefit from both local and global markets,” he explained.

On access to clean water, Dr Nchimbi referenced the Same–Mwanga–Korogwe water project, worth over 300bn/-, launched by President Samia.

He said the new goal is to raise water access to 95 per cent in both rural and urban areas.

He further announced that fish farming will be expanded through demonstration farms, to help communities adopt best practices and increase household incomes.

“CCM is determined to significantly increase the production of food, meat, milk and fish, ensuring every village benefits from basic services. No farmer, herder, or fisher will be left behind,” he stressed.

Dr Nchimbi assured voters that CCM will continue implementing ongoing projects while opening up new opportunities for all Tanzanians, without discrimination.

“No region, district, ward, village, or hamlet will be left behind in development. This is the essence of CCM, the party of the people, the party for all Tanzanians,” he concluded.

In Moshi, Amb Nchimbi said that in the four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the business sector has made great strides, particularly through improved infrastructure and investment in air transport.

He said the purchase of new aircraft, including a car- go plane, has revolutionised trade, especially for vegetable and flower growers in Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions, who can now easily access international markets.

“The cargo aircraft has enabled our farmers to export flowers and vegetables to global markets. This has increased income and spurred economic growth in the northern zone,” he said.

He further pointed out that the tourism sector has re- corded historic growth, with the number of tourists in- creasing from about 900,000 to more than five million per year.

From Mount Kilimanjaro alone, tourism earnings have risen from 700m/- to 4bn/- in just four years.

On health, Nchimbi said the government has upgraded specialised services in district and regional hospitals, as well as strengthening KCMC, which has enabled citizens to access better healthcare.