THE government has ordered more than 800 power tillers to be distributed to smallholder farmers across the country to boost food crop production and an export surplus.

Hussein Bashe, the Agriculture minister unveiled this plan over the weekend in a meeting with farmers in Mpanda, Katavi Region, at an inauguration of two new warehouses and launching the rehabilitation of an irrigation scheme by the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC).

The government’s idea is to empower farmers to venture into modern farming and move away from traditional ways of farming, implying the hoe or the plough, as they are inefficient, he said. 

“That’s why President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed the government to order such farming tools to support smallholder farmers who fail to increase acreage due to high costs of farming,” he said, noting that more farmers are unable to purchase power tillers due to the costs.

“That’s why we decided to buy them for the interest of our farmers,” he stated, elaborating that power tillers are more efficient, and in cases where farm labour and oxen need hiring, this equipment saves time and money. 

Agricultural mechanisation reduces time from three days it used to take to plough five acres of land where the power tiller can take just over two hours, he said.

The government allocated 55bn/- for improvement and expansion of irrigation schemes to boost agricultural productivity, he said, reaffirming the government’s dedication to ensuring food security, drive farm sector jobs and faster growth through agriculture.

He also assured farmers that pledges issued by President Samia while visiting the region will be implemented, as those efforts are meant to transform agriculture, boosting productivity.

He praised the NIRC for having carried out 29 projects in the region, outlining government plans to put up irrigation infrastructure across 27,000 hectares, starting with 6,000 hectares. This will enable farmers to cultivate crops two or three times a year, he said, pointing at the Itenka irrigation scheme covering 4,500 hectares, the Kakese scheme with 3,000 hectares, and the Kalema scheme, spanning over 5,000 hectares. 

“These initiatives are set to revolutionize farming in the region, positioning Katavi as a leader in agricultural modernisation,” he stated, hinting at the construction of reservoirs to enable farmers to cultivate effectively during the dry season.

Raymond Mndolwa, the NIRC director general, said that all projects directed by the government will be executed, as substantial investments have been made to strengthen the irrigation sector. 

NIRC will ensure no project implementation stalls, he said, noting that in addition to irrigation infrastructure projects, water reservoirs for livestock will be put up to mitigate ongoing conflicts with other water users.

Mwamvua Mrindoko, the regional commissioner, urged residents in Mwamkulu ward to seize opportunities presented by the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure to effectively engage in agriculture for economic uplift. They need to avoid unnecessary conflicts that could impede development efforts, she similarly appealed.

Jamillah Yusufu, the Mpanda DC, expressed desire to work with other leaders to ensure that government directives regarding infrastructure maintenance and irrigation agriculture are timely implemented.