SINGIDA: EXTENSION officers in Singida Municipality have been urged to engage more closely with farmers during this farming season to ensure they receive accurate information about the government’s various seed and fertiliser subsidies.
The call was made by Singida Municipal Mayor, Ms Yagi Kiaratu, during the closing of the regular council meeting for the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, held at Mwenge Secondary School Hall in Singida.
Mayor Kiaratu said that providing farmers with the correct information about available subsidies is crucial for improving agricultural productivity.
“If farmers are well-informed about the subsidies, they will be able to fully utilise these opportunities, boosting their incomes and contributing to the region’s economic growth,” she said.
The mayor stressed that information alone is not enough. She called on extension officers to ensure that the services reach farmers well before the rainy season begins, which could start at any time.
“Our extension officers must be proactive and ensure that farmers receive the necessary support in a timely manner,” she added.
While Singida Municipality is an urban area, Mayor Kiaratu pointed out that many peripheral wards still rely heavily on agriculture for both food and cash crops.
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“Given the importance of farming to our rural communities, it is essential that extension officers provide accurate information and help farmers access these vital services,” she explained.
Several councillors echoed the mayor’s call for a more hands-on approach. Ramadhan Yusufu from Mtipa Ward, Senge Senge from Uhamaka and Hassan Mkata from Mungumaji Ward all supported the idea of sending extension officers closer to farmers during the rainy season.
They stressed that it is critical for seeds and other farm inputs to reach farmers well before the rains begin.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, over 70 per cent of Singida’s nearly two million residents rely on farming and livestock keeping as their primary sources of livelihood.
