TCDC launches robust tree planting strategy
DODOMA: THE Tanzania Cooperatives Development Commission (TCDC) has launched a robust countrywide tree planting strategy which among others, seeks to complement the government’s initiatives to avert the effects of climate change.
TCDC Registrar and Executive Director, Dr Benson Ndiege launched the ambitious strategy at Uhuru Primary School in the country’s capital, Dodoma, as he noted that it will soon be rolled out countrywide in a bold move aimed at ensuring economic activities, especially agriculture continue thriving without being affected by climate change challenges.
According to him, the tree planting strategy was being implemented by TCDC in collaboration with the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), an executive agency mandated to enhance the management and conservation of forest and bee resources for sustainable supply of quality forest and bee products and services.
“In this initiative, TCDC is expected to plant trees in all areas with cooperatives as well as in several public institutions, including both primary and secondary schools, the main goal being protecting our environment and supporting top leaders of the country who have been insisting on environmental management as among the key agenda of the nation,’’ he said.
Dr Ndiege insisted that on several occasions, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President Dr Philip Mpango and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa have been insisting on tree planting in efforts to make the country green and get rid of effects of climate change.
This is why, he added, TCDC has decided to come up with this initiative to ensure that it is implemented by about 7,400 cooperatives present countrywide. He added that out of the total number of cooperatives, 60 percent of them were dealing with agriculture which contributes immensely in the country’s economic growth.
“In reality, cooperatives activities means the economy of the country, therefore, by planting trees it means all key sectors, especially agriculture, livestock and fisheries will continue flourishing based on the fact that climate change adaptation measures are in place,’’ added Dr Ndiege.
The TCDC Registrar further noted that the strategy was launched at Dodoma’s Uhuru Primary School because by engaging pupils from the grassroots level to adapt the tree planting culture as a way to avert effects of climate change, it was easier to have a generation in future that will always value the importance of trees.
“We pay tribute to TCDC for coming up with this beautiful programme because even our teachers have always been teaching us that tree planting is very important in environmental management and protection, therefore, we wish to pledge that we will protect these trees that have been planted today,’’ said Abdulla Ramadhan, a standard six pupil at Uhuru primary school.
TFS Conservation Ranger, Leonard Biromo pledged to intensify collaboration with TCDC in the tree planting strategy, insisting that it was the only solution to get out of climate change effects. He noted that the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Union and environment, Selemani Jafo had on several occasions insisted on the importance of planting trees.
