Farmers in Mara receive irrigation pumps

MWANZA: A total of 368 farmers from 15 wards in Musoma Municipality, Rorya and Musoma District Councils have received 34 irrigation pumps worth over 468m/-, in an effort to boost irrigation farming in the Mara Region.

Speaking during the handover ceremony held in Mara on Tuesday, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Nyabaganga Talaba, said the equipment will help improve productivity and modernise farming under the Tanzania Food Systems Resilience Programme (TFSRP).

Mr Talaba explained that the initiative targets farmer groups engaged in horticultural and fruit production within designated irrigation zones, particularly along water sources.

“This programme aims to empower farmers operating in legally recognised irrigation areas to increase efficiency and sustainability in their farming activities,” he said.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the region, Mara Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Gerald Kusaya, urged agricultural extension officers from beneficiary councils to conduct regular soil health assessments to enhance productivity.

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Mr Kusaya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector to make it more productive and sustainable for farmers and communities across the country.

“No farmer has been asked to pay for this support. We must all ensure these tools are effectively utilised to promote sustainable and profitable agriculture that strengthens food security and household incomes,” Mr Kusaya stressed.

He added that due to the multiple challenges facing farmers across the nation, the government continues to implement various strategic interventions, including expanding irrigation schemes to ensure consistent production.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Majura Mahinya, said the new irrigation equipment will enable them to water crops within a radius of more than 500 metres at once, compared to the previous 100-metre range, thereby increasing productivity.

Another farmer, Mr Joseph Siaga, noted that the support will help reduce operational costs, especially expenses incurred in hiring labourers for manual irrigation, allowing farmers to focus more on expanding production.