Mkinga District in Tanga has taken an important step in reducing post-harvest losses with the official launch of a cassava and sweet potato processing plant capable of processing four tons per day at Manza village.
The plant, which was built by World Vision Tanzania (WVT) at 150.17m/- using funds contributed by a Japanese donor, Yamazaki Love Loaf in Japan, would be managed by a 40-member women’s club WAUMA. It was launched by the Mkiga Legislator, Mr Dunstan Kitandula.
According to Makarius Charles, a representative of the WVT Country Director, the facility will be able to employ 100 direct and 300 indirect employees.
Mr Charles explained why the organisation decided to help the women’s group create the plant by citing Ministry of Agriculture figures that reveal post-harvest losses ranging from 27 to 53 per cent.
“Reducing post-harvest losses will boost household earnings and support the organization’s focus on children,” he said.
He stressed that the plant was only one of several projects carried out by the organisation dedicated to overcoming poverty and suffering through engagement with children, families, and communities.
WVT has been operating in the nation for 40 years and implemented projects totalling 10bn/-. WVT has set a target of reaching 3.2 million children in the country by the end of 2025 in the 18 regions through various initiatives.
WVT has been in Mkinga for 12 years and has reached a total of 36,860 children and over 40,000 adults.
Mr Kitandula, who expressed joy at the plant’s launch, emphasised the crucial need for crop manufacturing units to prevent post-harvest losses, which were draining households of their sweat.
He pleaded with the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO), which was engaged in the plant’s installation, to become patrons of the plant so that it may help ensure that the company’s products are of international quality.
He also asked the District Council to give credit to the group to expand its capital through the 10 per cent credit window for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Earlier, the Group’s Secretary, Mwanakombo Mohammed, stated that their main difficulty was a lack of capital to boost their operations.
Mkinga’s interim Executive Director, Ms Elizabeth Dickson, said that 28 groups received credit from the district during the 2021/22 totalling 247m/-under the 10 per cent window.
Loans were given to 12 women’s groups, 14 youth groups, and 2 groups of disabled people.
