Bukoba — UNDER District Agricultural Improvement Programme (DASIP), a total of 2.1bn/- will be spent on building capacity of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) during financial year 2012/2013, it has been said.

This was disclosed here by the Programme's deputy co-coordinator, Mr Jovin Kangimba.He said a total of 84 SACCOS which were established under DASIP, would benefit from the fund to enable members improve their agricultural and animal husbandry methods.

According to Mr Kangimba, DASIP is implemented in 28 pilot districts in eight Lake Zone regions of Mara, Kagera, Shinyanga, Kigoma, Mwanza, Geita and Simiyu.

He elaborated that the farmers would get entrepreneurial skills which would enable them access loans in financial institutions.

He further said DASIP would also buy 56 motorcycles worth 250m/-, to be distributed to advisors in all targeted districts in the Lake Zone.

Meanwhile, Kagera Regional Commissioner, Col. Fabian Massawe, has challenged people in the region to learn from neighbouring Uganda on how to run small businesses.

He noted that entrepreneurs from Uganda did very well in the just ended 12th SabaSaba exhibitions held in Bukoba Municipality .

He said the Ugandan entrepreneurs marketed local quality products, which should be emulated by farmers in the region if they are to get good money from their enterprises.

He urged coffee farmers to sell clean coffee to get good prices, urging them to fight smuggling of the crop to neighbouring countries. According to Col. Massawe, people who would assist in arresting coffee smugglers would be awarded, estimating that the region produces 56,000 tons of coffee annually.

During the SabaSaba exhibitions a total of 112 entrepreneurs and companies participated. 98 were Tanzanians and 14 foreigners.