TANZANIA – The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Korea, has procured modern agricultural equipment worth US$65,000 (173M tsh) to support sustainable rice production in Tanzania.
This initiative is part of the ongoing South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) project, which began in 2020 and is set to conclude by December 2024.
Diomedes Kalisa, the SSTC project coordinator announced that US$15,000 (40M tsh) has already been allocated to acquire essential agricultural tools, including land levelling instruments and specialized planting and harvesting equipment.
These tools aim to help farmers tackle challenges such as crop losses during harvesting and uneven water distribution due to unlevelled fields, particularly in sloped areas.
Kalisa highlighted that the remaining US$40,000 (106M tsh) will be used to purchase seven additional pieces of equipment before the project’s completion.
The FAO is working closely with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) to ensure that the knowledge gained from training sessions is effectively disseminated to farmers and agricultural officers at the village level.
“We collaborate with Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) to ensure that the expertise gained from various training reaches specialists who will then pass it on to farmers and agriculture officers at village level for sustainable agriculture through technology to uplift the sector across Tanzania,” said Kalisa.
Kulwa Furahisha, the manager of TARI-Ifakara Centre, emphasized the importance of adopting efficient agricultural practices to enhance rice productivity.
He pointed out that a rental system for the new tools would enable farmers to access them more readily, thereby improving production efficiency.
Furahisha also stressed the need for sustainable farming practices, such as using plant protectants instead of chemicals, cultivating rice on raised beds, and employing soil spreading equipment to reduce water consumption, especially in the face of climate change.
Jabir Makame, the District Commissioner of Gairo, underscored rice’s significance as Tanzania’s second most consumed food crop after maize.
He noted that while Morogoro Region is a major rice producer, low productivity remains a challenge due to outdated farming practices and limited technological adoption.
Makame emphasized the importance of training programs designed to increase the use of modern technology, enabling farmers to achieve higher yields from smaller cultivation areas.
Lena Sanga, the District Agriculture Officer for Mbarali, expressed gratitude to FAO and TARI for the valuable training provided. She pledged to share the knowledge gained with local farmers to improve agricultural practices and boost rice production across the country.
The SSTC project is being implemented not only in Tanzania but also in Ivory Coast and the Philippines, with Tanzanian activities concentrated in the Dakawa and Ifakara areas of the Morogoro Region.
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