LINDI: DEPUTY Minister for Agriculture, Mr David Silinde said yesterday that his Ministry is continuing with feasibility studies for developing various irrigation schemes in the country including Kinyope valley in Mchinga Constituency, Lindi Region.
Mr Silinde was responding to Ms Salma Kikwete’s (Mchinga-CCM) question on the government plans to develop Kinyope irrigation scheme in Lindi Region.
The MP said agriculture is the main activity for the residents of Mchinga constituency and Lindi Region in general and that there is need for the government to boost agriculture activities in the area.
She said more than 25,000 people depend on Kinyope valley for agriculture, a situation that call for government intervention to boost irrigation farming in the area.
“I would like to know when the government will allocate money for developing the valley so that farmers could benefit from agriculture,” she said.
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The Minister said the government has plans in place to ensure farmers are practicing profitable agriculture.
Earlier, the Deputy Minister said the Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Irrigation Commission has planned to implement various irrigation projects in the country, including the Udimaa and Mbwasa irrigation schemes located in the Manyoni District Council.
He was responding to a primary question from Mr Pius Chaya (Manyoni EastCCM) who wanted to know when the government will start implementing the irrigation scheme projects in Udimaa and Mbwasa in Manyoni District, Singida region.
Mr Silinde said his Ministry through the National Irrigation Commission, has completed the feasibility study and detailed design for the Udimaa and Mbwasa schemes for construction.
“The procurement procedures for the construction of the Mbwasa scheme were completed in February 2025, and the contractor has been handed over the project area,” he said.
He added that the Udimaa scheme was listed for contractor selection but the procurement process was not completed.
The scheme has been re-advertised to find a contractor who will complete the construction.
The Deputy Minister said the completion of the projects will benefit more than 13,000 residents from the villages of Kintinku, Mbwasa, Mwiboo, Chikuyu, Chilejeho and Mtiwe, which are located in the Manyoni District Council.
