Tanzania sinks 1.2tri/- for extension services   

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has announced the allocation of 1.2 trillion/- for the establishment of 1,000 agricultural extension service centers across various regions of the country, as part of its efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector.

This announcement was made by the Minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, during the launch ceremony of the Tanzania Cooperative Bank (COOP Bank). Minister Bashe also stated that alongside this initiative, the government plans to purchase 10,000 large tractors, Powertillers, combine harvesters, and drill wells to support irrigation farming.

Minister Bashe explained that the implementation of this plan has already begun, and in areas where these extension services have been introduced, farmers have experienced a reduction in production costs and an increase in crop yields, thereby boosting agricultural productivity.

ALSO READ: Empowering young innovators key to agricultural transformation

Highlighting last season’s achievements, Minister Bashe said that farmers in the country earned over 1tri/- through the sale of their produce at various domestic and international auctions.

Regarding tobacco farming, Minister Bashe revealed that Tanzania has risen to become the second-largest tobacco producer in the world. Additionally, Tanzania now hosts the second-largest tobacco processing factory globally.

Currently, Tanzania has over 7,000 cooperative societies and around eight million farmers who are expected to benefit from the services provided by the Tanzania Cooperative Bank to support their agricultural activities.