BUSINESS

Address missing link in `Kilimo Kwanza` - tool impoters

Most farmers, particularly those in rural areas are not likely to benefit from Kilimo Kwanza, if serious steps will not be taken to make them aware of the programme needs.

This was revealed on Friday by Anver Rajpar, an agricultural implements importer, who was speaking during a symposium on Kilimo Kwanza (Agriculture First). The symposium was organised by Tanzania-India Friendship Association (TIFA).

“There is need for the government to support these people because they are the ones who will bear the brunt of agricultural transformation,” he said.

Also it is estimated that 80 per cent of Tanzania’s population lives in the rural areas and it is engaged in farming activities.

Apart from that majority of them don’t have enough capital to purchase farming tools, are not familiar with the benefits of the new farming and they do not have mechanical and farming equipment like tractors to work with them, he said.

Although the government has already encouraged importation of tractors, tillers and other farming equipment by waving the duty, but presently machinery spare parts are not duty free, he noted.

“As government and stakeholders engaged in this sector, we need to help these farmers so that they can benefit from farming, achieve food self-sufficiency for sustained stability and development as well as change their mindset and produce value added exports,” he said.

Although private firms have managed to clear their goods from ports in reasonable time, semi-autonomous bodies have not, he said, noting that in such circumstance it is difficult to help these people move from outdated farming to modern farming

He also noted that although district councils have bought power tillers, presently many of them have not yet been distributed to farmers in many parts of the country, he said noting that more efforts ought to be put in this area.

“As businessmen we thank the Indian government for the assistance,” he said, adding, “although India has supported Tanzania to meet its plans, these tractors are yet to reach the farmers and I understand that this is due to mismanagement or negligence of the importer.”

He said: “It is sad to see that those tractors are lying at the port area uncleared since October 2010, incurring heavy charges.”

“Perhaps, the High Commissioner of India may find it necessary to take an interest and assist the authorities in ensuring that something is done to facilitate their clearance without any further delay,” he said.

He also noted that although the government encourages agriculture through Kilimo Kwanza, still farmers are at the mercy of rain seasons which are at best unreliable.

Due to this, more efforts are needed to have proper irritation systems and water preservation methods so that farmers can embark on agricultural activities more effectively.

“Zimbabwe is a good example of this, Tanzania can learn from this and other countries,” he said.

The government should also put in place banking institution such as the agricultural bank to support farmers who are facing problems of capital, he said.

COLUMNIST

Pregnant women bear the brunt of Mpiji River floods

This week Gerald Kitabu interviewed, Ali Masesa, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party economic affairs leader for Pangani Ward, Kibaha District, on Mpiji River floods which killed people recently. Excerpts:

QUESTION: When did you start experiencing floods?

ANSWER: Quite long, but this year has been the worst. In fact, this year’s rains have caused more havoc compared to the past. The ward lost a woman in the name of Cesilia Thomas Kipengele after she drowned in Mpiji River. Her body was found lying along the river bank four days later. She was discovered by her son.

A student of Mpiji Magohe Secondary School in Kinondoni district, Ali Kudra, escaped death after drowning in the same river. He was rescued. Sometimes when you wake up early in the morning, you would see some clothes, bags of charcoal and bicycles floating on the river, an indication that some other people outside Pangani Ward may have been affected by the flooding river.

Q: Who are the other people affected by the floods apart from students?

A: The other risky group is pregnant women. As you can see, we don’t have a single dispensary in our area; all health services are found at Magohe in Kinondoni District. There are incidents where some women have been forced to deliver by the river side due to heavy floods.

Q: Can you name them?

A: They are Salima Hamad, Amina Said and Grace Ludgell just to name a few. All are residents of Pangani. They delivered at different occasions after all means to ferry them to Magohe dispensary failed.

Q: Why don’t you go to Kibaha town for your daily needs and other social services?

A: Mpiji River separates Kibaha and Kinondoni districts. Although this ward is located in Kibaha District, it is easier for the residents to get services at Magohe in Kinondoni District which is quite near than Kibaha -- more than 12 kilometres away. That’s why Pangani Ward residents find it easier to get their social services at Magohe in Kinondoni.

Q: What is the population of Pangani ward?

A: The ward has more than 140,000 residents according to the last census, and many more people are still coming in to live here. During heavy rains sometimes the river harbours crocodiles.

Q: What steps have you taken?

A: We’ve several times asked government to build a permanent bridge for us but our efforts haven’t paid off. All relevant authorities are aware of this problem including the Kibaha Urban Member of Parliament. During campaigns in the last year’s general election, the MP promised to build a bridge. So far, the promise remains unfulfilled.

Q: What is your call?

A: I call upon government and other stakeholders to build the Mpiji River bridge because we’re losing lives during the rain season. We also need the bridge to ease transport problems.

NEWS

Pyrethrum has ready market in the US - board

Residents of Njombe District have been urged to cultivate more pyrethrum now that the government has improved access to international markets for this lucrative cash crop.

The call was made on Friday by Pyrethrum Board chairman Dr Binilith Mahenge at a rally held at Mabehewani in Makete District following questions from farmers.

The farmers had wanted to know how reliable the crop was as a source of income.

“Medicine to control various disease agents, including malaria parasites, and other pesticides all require pyrethrum as raw material,” Mahenge said.

He went on, “Cultivate the crop in large quantities; you’ll overcome poverty and enhance your living standards (as) there is a ready market.”

According to the chairman, US-based pesticide manufacturer McLaughlin Gormley King (MGK) alone has a strategy to buy 80 percent of global pyrethrum, providing a sure market for Tanzanian farmers, among others.

He said that financial institutions are willing to support pyrethrum farmers as they sit on a very valuable asset.

“People are ready to invest in pyrethrum, banks are ready to offer you loans,” Mahenge said, adding that these institutions will provide farmers with assistance provided they put their farms up as collateral.

Earlier, speaking to agents from Iringa and Mbeya, Mufindi Pyrethrum Factory manager Martin Oweka, said during the 2010/2011 agricultural season, his factory spent over 300m/- distributing pyrethrum seeds to farmers across the country.