Missenyi ripe for investors
KAGERA: MISSENYI Council Chairman, Mr Projestus Tegamaisho, has extended an invitation to both local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the rapidly developing areas of Kyaka, Bunazi and Mutukula.
He advised them to apply for building permits in line with the district’s ambitious land development plans.
He explained that during 2024-25 financial year the Council had allocated a substantial budget for urban planning and development.
“The renewed focus on planning and development signals a shift in the council’ approach, aligning with national goals for sustainable urbanisation and economic growth. Adhering to urban planning procedures is not just about aesthetics but ensuring the safety and sustainability of our growing communities. The Council is strategically located on the intersection of the East and Central African highway,” he said.
The government is implementing various investments with aim to open up economic opportunities and boost local incomes. Such investments include the recently rehabilitated Kitengure bridge which is crucial for the Kagera Sugar factory (KSL) operations.
Mr Tegamaisho also revealed that during 2024-25 fiscal year the Council has allocated 44m/- for the construction of a new market in Gera Ward, aimed at boosting banana crop sales.
ALSO READ: Investors urged to support education for industrial growth
He highlighted the initiative as a response to long-standing farmer complaints about market reliability.
“Many farmers in Kagera region were producing bananas, especially FHIA varieties but lacked reliable market. This initiative aims to address the gap by constructing a market in Gera Ward. Additionally, it will create employment opportunities for young people, he said.”
Bananas are a staple food crop for about 2.9 million people in Kagera Region. Farmers also derive cash income from selling banana bunches and products such as local banana brew within and outside the region.
It is estimated that over 95 per cent of households in the region are engaged in small-scale agriculture, with banana, beans and coffee being the primary agricultural activities.
In the 2018/2019 season, Tanzania produced a record 3,407 metric tonnes of bananas, showing minimal growth compared to the previous season’s production of 3,396 metric tonnes.
Banana is a key part of Tanzania’s staple diet and one of the ten main food crops in the country. Most bananas (over 70 percent) are grown in Kagera, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya regions. Other significant banana-producing regions include Morogoro, Kigoma, Mara, Arusha, Manyara, Ruvuma, Tanga and Coast.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the global export value of the banana trade was estimated at 8.9 billion US dollars, with a retail value ranging between 20 billion US dollars and 25 billion Us dollars annually.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), nearly nine-tenths of the world’s bananas are consumed in poor countries, where at least 400 million people depend on them for 15 to 27 percent of their daily calorie intake.
