Local News

Invest seriously in irrigation farming, MP urges government

May 10, 2023
Lake Zone Watch
345 Comments

By Lake Zone Watch Writer

The government has been challenged to seriously invest in irrigation farming if the agricultural sector is to gain desirable and ambitious outcomes.

Contributing to the budget estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture in Dodom recently, the Member of Parliament for Musoma Rural Prof Sospeter Muhongo said the process sorrounding the rolling out of irrigation farming should now be concluded.

According to Prof Muhongo, the country’s agricultural revolution will not be attained if the sector still depends on traditional methods, including rain –fed agriculture.

“It is high time we walked the talk and implemented irrigation farming if we want to see agriculture recording anticipated milestone. Our agriculture should remain the pillar of our economy and contribute to at least 10 percent economic growth. Also, it should be able to ensure stable food security and create employment to majority of our people,” said Prof Muhongo.

The MP commended the current efforts and innovations within the ministry but said consultations on critical areas, such as irrigation farming, should now be concluded so that implementation could take off.

Prof Muhongo underscored the importance of applying modern facilities and technologies in the country’s agricultural drive, urging the government to learn and emulate the strategies used by other developing countries like India, China and even Ethiopia, with a good track record in irrigation farming.

He was of the view that application of tractors, recommended fertilizers and seeds would work very well in the farming of strategic crops like maize, wheat, rice, cassava and even hoticulture.

The soft-spoken MP said Tanzania could win more foreign markets if authorities worked on a number of reforms in agriculture, citing the last few years when the country failed to export cassava to China. This was despite being assured of ready market in the giant Asian economy, which spends around 2 bilion USD a year on imported cassava.

On utilization of basins, Prof Muhongo said Mara region has six of them, two of which are in Musoma Rural, suggesting that these could greatly be of use in the production of both food and cash crops.

345 thoughts on “Invest seriously in irrigation farming, MP urges government”

  6. Howdy! This article couldnít be written any better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I’ll send this post to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get one thing done.

    Reply

  14. What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively helpfuland it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & help othercustomers like its helped me. Great job.

    Reply

  43. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board andI find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others likeyou helped me.

    Reply

  60. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to write more on this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people do not speak about these topics. To the next! Best wishes!!

    Reply

  62. Thanks for some other excellent article. Whereelse may just anybody get that type of information in such a perfect meansof writing? I’ve a presentation next week, andI am on the look for such information.

    Reply

  81. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This isa very well written article. I will make sureto bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanksfor the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *