KAGERA: KAGERA Regional CCM Chairman, Nazir Karamagi has urged citizens in the region and across the country to double the production of cash and food crops for their economic growth.
He highlighted that many projects were being implemented in various sectors including health, education and infrastructure development.
“Each one of us has a duty to safeguard the infrastructures because they cost billions of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
‘We thank President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for her focus on people-centred projects that promote economic growth. The private sector can capitalise on these opportunities by building industries, hotels and investing in key sectors such as health, education, minerals and agriculture.
Mr Karamagi urged residents to plant fast maturing crops and drought resistant ones such as sweet potatoes, cassava and millet as food security precautionary measure due to erratic rain.
The normal seasonal rain experienced during September –November has been unfavourable and erratic. Farmers should be sensitised to plant fast maturing crops, he said.
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Kagera is a major food producer and has been experiencing bumper harvest with various crops including bananas, beans, maize and rice when the weather condition is normal.
The agricultural sector is the backbone of Kagera, employing over 75 per cent of the region’s 2.9 million residents. With fertile land and reliable rainfall between 800mm and 1200mm, it’s a prime spot for agri-business.
“We need to encourage young people to drive into commercial agriculture. Kagera has set aside 10,000 hectares for youths to engage in coffee production. This is just the beginning. Bigger things are coming,” he said.
Additionally, plans are in motion for a modern banana hub to turn bananas into a cash crop and address farmers’ concerns about market reliability. This hub will not only help create jobs but also boost Kagera’s economy, as the region produces about 2.3 million metric tonnes of bananas,” he said.
During the recent World Food Day celebrations in Bukoba, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, David Silinde, highlighted that Tanzania has secured reliable banana markets in countries like China, Pakistan and Brazil. He also revealed an impressive budget increase for the Tanzania Irrigation Commission from 44 billion shilling to 408 billion shilling for the upcoming fiscal year.
