ARUSHA: PUBLIC Accounts Committee (PAC) has commended the Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) for its efforts to boost seed production and construction of irrigation infrastructure in various farms across the country.
The committee also expressed satisfaction agency’s expenditures worth 15.7bn/- in installing irrigation infrastructures in its farms totaling 800 hectares.
PAC’s Chairperson, Mr Japhet Hasunga said recently during the committee’s visit to ASA’s irrigation project that he was delighted with the spending.
The project covers 200 hectares at a seed farm in Ngaramtoni, Arusha. Furthermore, Mr Hasunga said other projects stretching 200 hectares at the Msimba Seed Farm in Kilosa, Morogoro and 400 hectares in Nzega, Tabora also are on course.
“We commend the Ministry of Agriculture for its creativity and strategic planning seeking to increase seed production while adapting to climate change effects through irrigation,” he said.
ALSO READ: Robust 16bn/- irrigation project in Dodoma reaches 86pc
Moreover, the PAC Chairperson urged ASA to promote itself by creating visibility to citizens on services it offers thereby widening its market base.
ASA’s Acting Managing Director, Mr Leo Mavika commended PAC for inspecting the seed agency’s projects adding that he will implement all directives issued during the visit in efforts to making the country attain seed selfsufficiency.
He said already 160 hectares out of 200 in the Arusha seed farm project have been installed with irrigation infrastructures equivalent to 82 per cent of implementation of the entire project.
Mr Mavika added that 220 hectares in the Kilimi Farm in Tabora have been installed with irrigation systems.
For his part, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Dr Hussein Omary said the government is committed to ensuring all projects are committed to executing all projects are completed on time to bring relief to farmers.
