TANZANIA- The Dodoma Agriculture Seed Production Association (DASPA) has generously donated 500 kilograms of sorghum seeds to primary schools in Chamwino District, Tanzania, aiming to enhance production and elevate nutritional services in schools.
In an interview with the ‘Daily News,’ Mr. Aithan Chaula, the Executive Director of DASPA, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting government initiatives by providing millet and sorghum seeds to schools in Chamwino District.
The goal is to ensure children have access to adequate nutrition services during their school years, promoting better academic performance and reducing truancy.
Mr. Chaula highlighted that sorghum seeds are annually provided in the Chamwino District as part of an extensive campaign to promote sorghum farming due to its drought-resistant nature.
The association emphasizes the production of high-quality seeds to guarantee sufficient crop production and enhance overall agricultural productivity. Mr. Chaula urged farmers to adopt superior seeds to maximize their agricultural output.
Acknowledging the government’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity by supporting seed manufacturers in producing quality and ample seeds, Mr. Chaula emphasized the active role of the private sector in encouraging farmers to join groups and providing them with training and quality seeds to enhance agricultural production.
Masia sorghum seeds, distributed to approximately 100 primary schools, are expected to be cultivated on one to four acres of land per school. This initiative aligns with the October 2023 challenge from the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), urging Tanzania to increase sorghum production to meet the growing global demand for the grain.
William Lasway, Monitoring Officer at WFP, revealed that the organization aimed to purchase at least 200,000 tonnes of sorghum from Tanzania each season to support humanitarian efforts in various countries, including Sudan, Somalia, and Burundi.
Additionally, the Dodoma Regional Commissioner (RC) announced that the government in the region had directed each municipal council to allocate 2,000 hectares to support the professional cultivation of sorghum to meet market demand.
The donation from DASPA contributes to this broader goal, emphasizing the importance of local initiatives in addressing global food demand and supporting vulnerable populations.
To further improve the sector’s performance, Farm Africa promised to implement a robust project that aims to introduce Climate-Smart Agriculture techniques to at least 100,000 sorghum farmers in Dodoma.
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