Oil palm, sunflower cultivation gets push in Kagera

DODOMA: THE government has reiterated its commitment to promote the cultivation of sunflower and oil palm crops in Kagera Region following a directive issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her visit to Bukoba in June 2022.

Responding to a question from Bukoba Rural MP, Dr Jasson Samson Rweikiza (CCM) in the House, the Deputy Minister for Communication and Information Technology Engineer, Maryprisca Mahundi, on behalf of Minister for Agriculture, highlighted measures that have already been taken to implement the President’s directive.

“In efforts to promote the cultivation of oil palm and sunflower in Kagera Region, the government has distributed a total of 15,840 oil palm seedlings between 2021 and 2025,” said the Deputy Minister.

She added that an additional 2,908 seedlings are currently being maintained at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) – Maruku nursery, ready for further distribution to farmers across the region.

The deputy minister also reported progress on sunflower cultivation, noting that the government had successfully mobilised farmers to increase production.

“Sunflower output rose from 2,716.64 tonnes in 2023 to 3,047 tonnes in 2024, marking a 12.16 per cent increase,” he said.

Ms Mahundi said the government’s is aimed at improving livelihoods, increasing access to edible oil and enhancing value addition in the region.

Dr Rweikiza had sought clarification on when the initiatives promised by the Head of State would begin to materialise.

MP Rweikiza, on the other hand, commended the government under President Dr Samia for its efforts in improving coffee farming in the region.

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“We had requested the President to promote the cultivation of sunflower and oil palm due to the low prices of coffee, which had dropped to as little as 900/- per kilogramme. Today, the price has risen to 5,000/- per kilogramme. We are grateful to the President and her government for revitalising coffee as a key cash crop and a catalyst for economic growth,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has expressed commitment to bolster agricultural activities in rural areas, with plans now underway to construct more irrigation schemes, including a major irrigation scheme in Arusha Chini Ward, Moshi District Council.

Responding to a question in Parliament from Special Seats MP, Zuena Athuman Bushiri (CCM), the Deputy Minister Mahundi confirmed that preparations for the Chemiko Irrigation Scheme covering 2,000 hectares are progressing well.

“The government, through the National Irrigation Commission, is currently conducting feasibility studies and detailed design work for various irrigation projects across the country, including the Chemiko scheme in Arusha Chini,” the deputy minister said.

She revealed that the detailed design will be finalised in the 2025/2026 financial year, after which procurement processes will commence to identify a contractor for the construction phase.

The project is expected to significantly enhance food production and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the area.

“The completion of this scheme will increase agricultural productivity and contribute to national food security,” she noted, saying the government was also looking forward to start the construction other schemes in the coming financial year.

Makete MP Festo Sanga commended the government’s initiatives to transform the agricultural sector across the country, urging timely completion of the irrigation schemes.