THE Arusha-based World Vegetable Center expects to receive 600,000 Euros (1.7bn/-) from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to enable the Gen Bank to achieve its goals.

Dr. Gabriel Rugalema, World Vegetable Centre regional director for East and Southern Africa unveiled this when briefing the Parliamentary Committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock who visited the centre here over the weekend.

Dr. Rugalema said he believes that the various proposals they requested will be worked on because the committee is the main adviser on agricultural issues in the government

He said that in the case of Gen Bank, despite expecting funds to enable them to carry out storage operations, they continue to store genetics in the bank.

"We have reached 504 farmers, 120 students, and more than 600 foreigners have received education on vegetable farming issues, so this centre has great importance in bringing prosperity to agriculture in this country," said Dr. Rugalema

In another step, he said that the consumption of vegetables is still low in the community even though they are of great importance to the human body, including improving health and fighting diseases.

"According to the World Health Organization, it is recommended that a person eat at least 50 grams of vegetables per day in order to reach 80 kg per year, so motivation should be given about the importance of vegetables in the diet" added Rugalema.

According to Dr. Rugalema, since the center was established in Arusha 34 years ago, it has never been visited by any parliamentary committee.

 Mariam Mzuzuri, committee vice chairperson said for the good work done by the centre they will send their recommendations to the relevant ministry so they can be worked on.

"The centre has had a small area and we’ve been told that they have sent an application to expand the area and do their work efficiently, we have taken care of that and we will make sure it is done quickly," said Mariam

One of the committee members, Pauline Gekul, said that according to the studies conducted by the centre, it is good to perform a soil study in each region and identify which vegetables do well in that area and move it to the people.