Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mussa Hassan Zungu
By VALENTINE OFORO
AGRICULTURAL institutions and the stakeholders in the sector for the development of agro- technologies have been challenged to speed up innovation and ensure the technologies being hatched are reaching out and benefiting the farmers across the country.
It has been unveiled, the useful development will help transform Tanzania’s agricultural landscape and heighten the level of production and productivity to enable the country to attain the needed food security.
The call has been made by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mussa Hassan Zungu in his remarks to officiate the 3rd edition of Tanzania Agriculture Stakeholders Learning Event (TASLE) which convened in Dodoma Capital City for two consecutive days.
Held under the theme of 'Commercialising Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems' the key annually staged gathering organised by the Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT) focuses to spur use of modern technologies among the farmers in the country.
"There's nothing more crucial in any nation than food security, you may have a strong army but, it is imperative to note that there's no life without food," the speaker observed.
He said the sixth phase government under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has kept on allocating increased budget towards agriculture research, saying the relevant institutions and experts must use the development to bring about positive transformation in the sector.
Ever before, he observed that the budget for the sector is currently standing at an impressive tune of at least 1.2trn/- annually, the huge and satisfying amount which must be spent patriotically in order to fetch the needed value for money.
"Since ascended to power President Dr. Samia has so far demonstrated high commitment to make agriculture becoming the engine of Tanzania's economy and thus, it is of prudent for all players in the sector, those from public and private sector to stand together at fore to translate President Samia's vision into reality," he insisted.
Dwelling further on use of agro technologies, the speaker spoke over the need for the farmers in the country to start adopting use of technologies to process various products within their plantations and not only rely on giant factories.
"For instance, it is irking to see the poor manner to which majority of the youth are selling pieces of pilled fresh sugarcane pieces along the streets while the farmers can possibly purchase mini- sugar mills facilities and produce sugar in their own shadow," he challenged.
He underscored the need for more youth and women in the country to venture into the sector and deter from the white color job's syndrome.
"Investing into women and youth is the current vision among nearly all countries around the globe and the government in Tanzania is working to achieve the same," he stated.
On his side, AMDT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Ogutu said they have decided to organise the forum with an eye to develop, but making sure the numerous agricultural technologies being invented are reaching out to the farmers on proper time.
“The vision, among others, is to ensure the agriculture technologies created by varied experts and institutions are well developed and coordinated to the level of official business in order to make it easy to be consumed by the farmers,” he observed.
And he added, technology was the best way to help the farmers in the country to overcome severe challenges of climate change to crop production, the situation which will further propel needed production and productivity in the vital economic sector.
“We will annually continue to stage this gathering in order to motivate and stimulate more innovations in the sector, but also to ensure the farmers are benefiting the same,” he assured.
Speaking for his part, Delta Shila, the AMDT ‘s Monitoring and Results Measurements Associate expressed that the forum has been tailored to push for commercialisation of the various agricultural technologies in the country, among others.
“This forum is creating a key podium for the participants to delve on possible and best approaches through which the agricultural technologies that are being produced within the country can be disseminated to the farmers in order to bring positive impacts,” he said.
The event featured a series of insightful presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities designed to foster knowledge exchange and inspire actionable strategies, whereby the participants engaged with leading experts, shared best practices, and explored new technologies and approaches that can enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in Tanzania’s food systems.
The Agriculture Markets Development Trust (AMDT) is a Tanzanian-owned trust established to support better coordination between value chain development initiatives, enhance and improve the understanding of agricultural market systems, improve productivity and market access for micro, small and medium enterprises, maximise the impact of programmes, and more effectively contribute to reducing poverty in Tanzania.
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