VETA, FIELD Masters ink 5.5bn/- irrigation deal

ARUSHA: FIELD Masters Ltd, a company based in Bondeni City, Arusha, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) to invest 5.5bn/- in an irrigated farming project for flowers and barley.

The project will be implemented at VETA Arusha College.

Speaking to journalists during a site visit to the project area in Oljoro over the weekend, the college Principal, Ms Happiness Nyamaka said the investor has been allocated 680 acres out of the college’s total 1,217 acres.

Ms Nyamaka explained that 100 acres of the allocated land will be used to construct a reservoir to support irrigation for both flower and barley farming.

“Through this project, we expect VETA Arusha College to benefit economically, while students will gain employment opportunities. Flowers are in high demand in international markets, particularly in the United Kingdom and we have already secured clients interested in these products. The project is expected to officially begin in June this year, and preparations are currently underway,” she said.

For his part, FIELD Masters Ltd Managing Director, Mr Mick Dennis, said the agreement with VETA aims to establish large-scale irrigated farming of flowers and barley.

He noted that his decision to invest in Tanzania is driven by both passion and the company’s commitment to supporting the country’s development efforts.

According to him, development begins with the youth, and agriculture remains key to Tanzania’s economic growth. The project will therefore provide young people with an opportunity to learn modern farming techniques.

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“This project will cost 5.5bn/-. I signed the MoU with VETA last year. Our flower market is in Europe, while the barley market is local, particularly with Tanzania Breweries. I expect to produce five to six tonnes of barley per acre and between 500 and 700 kilogrammes of flowers per acre,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the VETA Northern Zone Director, Acting Director Mr Romuald Mlelwa said the project will enhance agricultural training by integrating practical skills, entrepreneurship and the use of appropriate farming technologies.

Mr Mlelwa noted that the initiative will enable students and the wider Tanzanian community to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture with greater expertise and confidence.

“This initiative supports the government’s vision of industrialisation and economic transformation by ensuring that vocational training institutions like VETA Arusha become centres of excellence in skills development,” he said.