The National Milk Week will this year be officially commemorated in Rukwa region, it was announced in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The celebrations that will climax on June 1 will go hand in hand with an exhibition of livestock products and allied services.

It will also be attended by livestock keepers and stakeholders from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Rukwa regional commissioner, Mr Daniel Ole Njoolay, said livestock rearing is the second major economic activity in the region after crop farming.

He said the milk week will start on May 29 and the exhibition will be graced by the minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mr John Magufuli.

Said Mr Njoolay; "Livestock keeping and milk production should be taken seriously by Tanzanians since it is one of the activities which contribute to developing the country's economy,".

According to him, a number of factors have affected the economic growth of Rukwa region.

He listed them as poor infrastructure, lack of extension officers and lack of fertilizers.

"Rukwa can produce a total of 1.2 million tonnes of farm crops due to the problems that the region is facing but, if solved, then it is capable of producing four times as much," he said.

He added that during the exhibition, farmers will have a chance to learn more about farming and how to use some products to ease their work.

Livestock keepers and farmers from all Tanzania regions are expected to take part in the exhibition.