KAGERA: KAGERA Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa has encouraged farmers to increase the production of cash and food crops.
In the year 2023/24, the region produced a total of 3.4 million metric tonnes, while regional food demand stood at 770,000 metric tonnes.
Ms Mwassa made the call in the ongoing 2024 World Food Day commemoration which started on October 10, 2024 and reached its climax on Wednesday.
During exhibitions held at the CCM Complex in Bukoba Municipality, institutions had opportunity to showcase various products in the agricultural sector.
“I am happy to announce that the region has a surplus of 2.6 million metric tonnes of food. However, people should not relax, instead they should increase the production of cash and food crops,” she insisted.
Farmers should get proper technical advice from extension officers on modern crop husbandry, livestock and cage fish farming.
ALSO READ: Leverage govt support to boost agri, public told
Improving the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers is viewed as an important component of attempts to improve and develop agriculture, as well as to contribute to the reduction of poverty in the country.
Kagera region is a hub in the Great Lakes region where investors could benefit by exploiting abundant resources including agriculture and livestock sectors. The region also has many untapped valleys suitable for irrigation schemes.
Agriculture has long been perceived as the back bone of the country’s economy. Whilst its contribution to GDP stands at roughly 33 per cent, depending on the source, more than 80 per cent of Tanzania population continues to depend on the sector as a whole or part of their livelihoods.
Agricultural development is seen by many as a key driver to effective poverty reduction. This is an area where Tanzania has been seen to be failing despite strong economic growth in other sectors.
The efforts to commercialise and improve the productivity of agriculture has been gaining momentum in recent years with many programmes being crafted to support the drive.
After several decades of neglect, there is a renewed interest in the transformation of African agriculture, as persistent levels of poverty, rising populations and food prices, and the uncertainties of climate change all contribute to a potential future crisis for food security.