DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Doto Biteko has directed the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to liaise with regional commissioners to prevent pastoralists from bringing livestock into farming areas.

Officiating at the John Mwakangale grounds for the annual agro-sector produce and services showcasing event, this year themed on embracing visionary leadership for agricultural transformation, he said preventing incursions will help reduce periodic conflicts that threaten the peace.

He also tasked the ministry and regional administrators to work together to implement good land use plans, including training farmers and herders to apply modern methods when conducting their activities, to enhance productivity.

Proper land use would help mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, which have been equally disruptive in areas bordering national parks, he said, highlighting the need to train herders in managing pastures and constructing water pans in grazing areas.

This would improve productivity and minimize land use and water source conflicts, he said, asserting that it is important for farmers, herders and fishermen to follow expert advice on using pesticides and chemicals, to prevent negative impacts on consumers, wildlife and the environment.

Regional and district heads of departments need to protect areas designated for agricultural research to enhance seed production and reduce reliance on imported seeds, he stated, underlining that land officers should not survey these areas for settlement.

“Otherwise, we risk becoming dependent on seeds and pesticides from countries that protect their research areas. Protect them diligently,” he emphasised.

David Silinde, the Agriculture deputy minister, said that the government has increased its investment in agriculture, a sector employing over 70 percent of Tanzanians and supplying two-thirds of the raw materials for industry.

 He said that this year’s agricultural budget has risen to 1.2trn/- from upwards of 900bn/- in the past two years, an effort aligned with several African Union declarations on providing up to 10 percent of total Budget funds to agriculture.

The ministry is working on improving exhibition grounds in various regions to enhance the effectiveness of exhibitions, starting with the Dodoma grounds and later addressing other grounds.
Dr Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of the National Assembly, said that government subsidy on fertilizers and other agricultural inputs has led to increased use by farmers, hence boosting production.

The government has fostered a favourable environment for investors in agricultural production, increasing the availability of the inputs in the country, she said.

Juma Homera, Mbeya regional commissioner, stated that southern highlands regions have become the key food production areas in Tanzania. They serve as the nation’s food basket, he added.