Farmers set for better crop prices, bright future

DODOMA: THE government has retaliated its commitment to securing reliable markets and better prices for commercial crops through a range of interventions aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and improving farmers’ incomes.

Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde told the National Assembly yesterday that several measures have been introduced to promote commercial agriculture and cushion farmers against fluctuations in international commodity prices.

Among the key initiatives is the establishment of the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), which helps stabilise prices and support farmers when global commodity prices decline.

Mr Silinde said the government is also promoting local consumption and processing of agricultural products, including coffee, to expand domestic markets and increase value addition. In addition, farmers are being encouraged to process and add value to their produce before selling it in order to secure better prices and increase earnings.

The deputy minister was responding to a supplementary question by Dr Neema Majule (Special Seats, CCM), who sought clarification on government efforts to improve the coffee market and ensure farmers receive fair prices. Dr Majule also wanted to know the extent of government investment in market research aimed at identifying sustainable and competitive markets for agricultural products, including grapes produced in Dodoma Region.

“I would like to hear how the government is conducting research to ensure our crops secure markets and remain competitive in international markets,” she said.

Earlier, Ms Devotha Mburarugaba (Special Seats, CCM) asked about government plans to transform agriculture in Kagera Region from subsistence farming into commercially driven and industrialised agriculture.

Responding, Mr Silinde said the government continues to encourage farmers nationwide, including those in Kagera, to increase productivity and boost the supply of raw materials to industries. To support the initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued providing fertiliser subsidies while undertaking feasibility studies and detailed designs for four dams and 14 irrigation schemes covering a total of 19,000 hectares. The projects are expected to benefit about 30,500 farmers.

The government is also constructing irrigation infrastructure in the Ngono River Basin, a project expected to benefit approximately 25,000 farmers in Muleba, Ngara and Bukoba district councils.

Furthermore, the ministry has distributed 58 irrigation equipment sets to Bukoba (15), Ngara (18), Muleba (10) and Missenyi (15). It has also established three agricultural mechanisation service centres in Missenyi, Muleba and Karagwe districts to improve farmers’ access to modern farming technologies.

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Meanwhile, Ms Rebecca Nsemwa (Special Seats–CCM) sought clarification on government plans to promote the consumption and export of fruits produced in Njombe Region, saying many fruit farmers continue to earn low returns despite the region’s significant production potential.

Mr Silinde said the government is promoting apple cultivation in several regions, including Njombe, and plans are underway through the Agricultural Development Fund to establish small-scale fruit processing industries and storage facilities.

He added that the government is also constructing mechanisation centres to improve farmers’ access to agricultural inputs and enhance productivity. The deputy minister further revealed that the government is building agricultural markets in various parts of the country to enable farmers to sell their produce directly at designated market centres instead of relying on middlemen operating at farm level.

“When traders buy produce directly from farms, farmers are often exploited and their future production capacity is undermined. That is why the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is constructing markets to enable farmers to sell their produce more efficiently and at fair prices,” Mr Silinde said.