Govt calls for increased investment in livestock, fisheries
Fri Oct 24, 2014
Up to 130 children die every day due malnutrition related cases in Tanzania and the government is urging the private sector and other stakeholders to invest in livestock and fisheries both as major economic fronts as well as vital nutritional fortification for the country.
Speaking during the World Food Day in Mpanda District, Katavi Region recently, in a speech read on his behalf by Katavi Regional commissioner, Dr. Rajab Rutengwe, Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Eng. Christopher Chiza pledged government support to investors in the said sectors.
He also pointed out that poor nutrition greatly affects children’s mental development, school performance and causes inefficiency at adult life.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) representative to Tanzania, Diana Tempelman said FAO will continue supporting family farming to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security in the country.
She emphasised the value of family farming in boosting nutrition in the country saying it also has huge contribution to household income.
“All over the world, family farming has a very big contribution to the community, environment conservation and cultural aspects,” she said.
In his comments, the World Food Programme (WFP) representative Said Johari pointed out that WFP’s purchase for progress (P4P) initiative connects farmers to markets by enhancing their agricultural productivity and marketing capability.
He said since 2009, P4P farmers’ groups have supplied WFP with some 14,000 metric tonnes of maize and beans valued at USD 5.5 million.
Notably however, government efforts to enhance productivity are bearing some fruits, statistics show the livestock sector has grown by 3.8 last year in 2013 compared to 3.1 in 2002.
As a result of increased production, the livestock sector contributed 4.4 percent of the GDP last year.
Currently in Tanzania, according to minister Chiza, there are an estimated 22.8 million cows, 15.6 million goats and 7.0 million sheep, 35.5 million chicken, high-breed chicken are 24.5 million and there are 2.01 million pigs.
Milk production increased to reach 2.0 billion litres for the year 2013/2014 compared to 1.9 billion litres in 2012/2013 an increase of 3.5 per cent.
Milk processing per day increased from 135,300 liters in 2012/2013 to 139,800 liters in 2013/2014, an addition of 3.2 per cent.
In 2013/2014, meat production increased from 553,455 tonnes to 563,086 tonnes in 2012/2013, including 309,353 tonnes of cows, 120,199 tonnes of goats and sheep, 79,174 tonnes of pig, and 54,360 tonnes of chicken.
The theme for this year’s World Food Day is family farming, feeding world, caring the earth.
Apart from Katavi regional authorities, the celebrations held at Kashaulili grounds were attended by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, nearby regions, political parties, and representatives from different local and international organisations.
SOURCE: IPPMEDIA
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