The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Vicent Mnyanyika
19 September 2009
The Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, yesterday said that lack of an adequate number of research centres in Tanzania, is the first challenge facing the 'Kilimo Kwanza' initiative.
Speaking to journalists after he returned from a tour of several Asian countries, Mr Pinda said the country needs to strengthen agricultural research to develop the agricultural sector.
He said during the tour, he had learnt that research institutions were vital as they show methods to promote agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry.
"Without research it would be very difficult to transform the agricultural sector to attain green revolution like Asian countries have done... in the 1960's, their agriculture was at the same level as ours. But today, they are far ahead," said Mr Pinda.
Prior the visit to India, North Korea and Indonesia, Mr Pinda was accompanied by the minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Mr Steven Wasira, Rukwa and Manyara regional commissioners Daniel Ole Njoolay and Issa Machibya, respectively.
"While visiting the thee countries, we learned that many farmers cultivate small plots of land, but through use of appropriate seeds developed at their research institutions and use of better technology, they end up harvesting more crops," he said.
On his side, Mr Wasira said India has agreed to train water engineers under a five-year assistance programme. "We believe that irrigation farming would save us well... if we properly use India's assistance, we shall reduce and even eliminate hunger in Tanzania," said Mr Wasira.
Mr Wassira said a major problem hindering agricultural development in the country is lack of political will. Mr Pinda said at one of research instutitions they visited in India, there were more than 100 types of rice varieties developed for different soils and climate.
He said basing from experience they learnt from the tour, the Government would form a special committee of experts who will help the country to implement the 'Kilimo Kwanza' initiative.
"India, North Korea and even Indonesia have agreed to help us to improve our agriculture and have agreed to bring experts to help us," he said.
He also outlined measures to be taken to further improve the agricultural sector like setting up agro-industries to add value to export crops, develop technology used in farming and building people's capacity. He, however, said bureaucracy was a major hindrance to foreigners wishing to invest in the agricultural sector.
"Unfriendly land laws and shortage of investors, hinder the flow of investments to the agricultural sector. We need to review our land laws to encourage more investors to come to the country," he said. Ends.
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