Tanzania VICE President Dr Philip Mpango has said Phase VI Government aims to develop the farming sector, increase production and woo more youth and women to the sector.
Dr Mpango made the remarks yesterday when he met with and held discussions with the Chairman of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), who is also former Ethiopia Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, at the sidelines of Kigali International Conference Hall,Kigali, Rwanda.
Dr Mpango said the government had increased its budget allocation for agriculture from 294bn/- in FF 2021/22 to 751bn/- in GY 2022/23while the production of quality seeds and establishment of irrigation schemes continue.
He said the government has also established a unique programme called “Building Better Tomorrow” that targets the youth to participate in farming whereby among others, it aims to develop commercial farming projects beginning 12,000 villages countrywide; hence, headed, it was important for agricultural development institutions, including AGRA to support the agenda.
The Vice President said Tanzania is endowed with good arable land and a suitable geographical area which can contribute to food security in the African Continent; hence he welcomed investors in farming to the country. Save up to Save up to Save up to Save up to
For his part, Desalegn said AGRA supported Tanzania’s efforts in developing the farming sector and was ready to work with other institutions to sponsor various farming projects programme, including “Building Better Tomorrow”.
He added that the farming sector in Africa is supposed to go in tandem with advances in technology by investing in friendly technology to conduct modern farming practices, engaging in increased production and later wooing more youth.
Meanwhile, Dr Mpango has met with and held discussions with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame at the same venue.
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