UN commends Tanzania’s efforts to improve agriculture, pledges more support
The United Nations (UN) has commended efforts by the Government of Tanzania for improving the agriculture sector in the country calling it the right direction towards growing the country’s economy.
Speaking during the climax of the national farmers’ day (Nane Nane) celebrations in Simiyu region, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to Tanzania, Fred Kafeero, said that as development partners they appreciated the efforts and called for stronger partnership to achieve the goal.
Commitment for more support
“As development partners we will continue supporting the Government of Tanzania in efforts to attract more investments in agriculture, livestock keeping and fisheries to boost food security, nutrition and incomes. Talks are underway to ensure that these exhibitions are made sustainable so that farmers can come and learn from here throughout the year,” he said.
Mr. Kafeero was speaking on behalf of the other UN Agencies that were participating in the just ended national celebrations to mark Nane Nane whose climax was graced by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa. Besides FAO, other UN Agencies that participated included the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the UN’s Resident Coordinator (RCO).
“To us agriculture, food security and nutrition are core areas of our work. As we celebrate Nane Nane for this year, the UN through the participating Agencies, we would like to see that no one is left behind by ensuring that people particularly farmers have good health and equality when performing their different roles in agriculture,” he pointed out adding: “My message to all Tanzanians is that agriculture pays, it helps in poverty alleviation, it improves the country’s economy. Let us all join hands to improve agriculture by putting more efforts and investments into it.”
This year’s Nane Nane theme was ‘Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries for Country’s Economic Growth and it was specifically meant to highlight the importance of the subsectors into the country’s development process.
Need to make the show sustainable
In his speech, Prime Minister Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa called upon the respective Ministries to ensure that the investments made at the Nyakabindi grounds for Nane Nane exhibitions in Simiyu region are made to serve the country sustainably and not just for the week-long celebrations in August each year.
“This is a very huge investment. We can turn this place into a centre of excellence as far as agriculture is concerned. Farmers from all across the country can come and learn from here practically throughout the year,” he said while calling on the ministries responsible for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, trade and industry to ensure that happens the soonest.
The call was echoed by the Minister of Agriculture, Japhet Hasunga and Simiyu Regional Commissioner, Anthony Mtaka, who said that discussions were underway with different local and international partners to that effect.