Kikwete: Farm gains key to poverty reduction
MOROGORO: FORMER President Jakaya Kikwete has described progress in agriculture, livestock and fisheries as a major opportunity to increase productivity, strengthen food security and reduce poverty if the current momentum is sustained.
Dr Kikwete made the remarks after touring agricultural and livestock exhibition booths, agricultural machinery displays and stalls operated by improved seed producers and distributors at the Eastern Zone Nanenane Exhibition held in Morogoro Region.
“I am truly satisfied with the level of preparation and the quality of what is being displayed here. The exhibitions clearly show the transformation taking place in agriculture and the achievements that are being made,” Kikwete said.
He said the products and technologies displayed reflected significant progress in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors and showed that the country was adopting modern production methods.
While visiting the Mlimba District Council pavilion, where he toured a demonstration farm featuring strategic crops, Kikwete urged the council to expand production of cocoa, avocadoes, cloves, cashew nuts and oil palms.
“I commend Mlimba District Council for the practical steps it has taken to promote strategic crop production through this demonstration farm,” he said.
The former president urged agricultural leaders and experts not to be satisfied with current achievements but to continue adopting improved technologies and farming practices capable of increasing productivity and improving farmers’ incomes.
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Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamad Hamis Chande said environmental conservation remains essential for sustainable agricultural growth.
“We cannot have quality food if we do not conserve our environment, forests and water sources,” Chande said after visiting the Tanzania Forest Services Agency pavilion.
He said that despite the expansion of irrigation farming, rainfall remains important for agriculture and depends heavily on healthy ecosystems and forest conservation.
Chande called on citizens to work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to protect forests and water sources, noting that agriculture, livestock and wildlife all depend on a healthy environment.
The Deputy Minister said conservation efforts should go hand in hand with agricultural development in order to ensure long-term food security and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Eastern Zone Nanenane Exhibition brought together government institutions, farmers, livestock keepers, researchers, seed companies and agricultural equipment suppliers to showcase new technologies and production practices aimed at modernising the sector and improving productivity.
