We need affordable tractor loans, south east region farmers tell govt
Tue Sep 02, 2014
Farmers in the south east regions have asked the government and private sector to provide them with affordable tractor loans to help them improve agriculture and their livelihoods.
Speaking to this paper in an interview recently, a farmer identified as Sylivester Mlaponi, from Ndomoni village in Nachingwea District, Lindi Region said most of them still use the traditional hand hoe farming method, resulting in small yields.
“We need tractor loans that would improve agricultural activities and enable us to contribute to our country’s economy,” he said.
Mlaponi said agricultural activities in the area have not contributed much to the economy because most farmers are using outdated farming equipment.
On the other hand, he thanked CARE Tanzania for their support in agricultural activities through provision of quality cassava seeds and training of extension officers (paraprofessionals).
Speaking, another farmer identified as Hilda Kambona, urged the youth to engage in agricultural activities in order to generate income.
She said most of the agricultural activities in the area are practiced by elders who do not have the ability to produce in bulk.
“I urge the youth to join the newly established farmers groups that would enable to produce and keep money in village community banks for their economic development,” she said.
Explaining further, she said village community banks play a crucial role for their development.
“In 2011, we formed a group known as Umoja, where members have been borrowing various loans up to 400,000/-.
She said the loans have been helping farmers to meet various needs such as paying school fees, uniforms, buying cattle or iron sheets.
For his part, a cassava farmer identified as Luca Mpili from Chilimba village in Masasi District, Mtwara Region said agricultural production has doubled due to changes in modern farming.
We have been trained on modern farming and our yields have increased as compared to the past, he said.
Citing, he said he used to harvest five bags of maize per half acre, now after applying modern farming, he harvests between 15 to 20 bags.
Mpili said apart from farming he has been engaging in poultry and cattle keeping which has changed his life totally.
Earlier, the CARE Tanzania Quality and Learning officer in Mtwara office Jerome Mackay, urged farmers to join groups so as to boost their income such that they can afford to hire or borrow tractors.
Mackay said the money kept at banks could later be used to purchase their tractors in cash or loans.
He said the organisation through Pathways program has been working with various villages to improve their livelihoods.
“We have also donated cassava and sesame processing machines to two villages in Mtwara and Lindi regions respectively,” he said.
He said the machines would enable farmers add value to their crops, improve income and livelihoods hence make them contribute to the government coffers.
To achieve the program’s objective and long last impact to communities, the organisation is working in partnership with Agakhan Foundation, Mtwara and Lindi district council and Naliendele Research Institute.
BesidesTanzania, similar program which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is implemented in Malawi, Ghana, India and Bangladesh.
SOURCE: IPPMEDIA
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