TANZANIA
is set to increase irrigation network towards sustainable industrial
agriculture economy, the Minister for Water and Irrigation, Mr Gerson Lwenge,
has said.
He
said at the just ended Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) that
irrigated land will be increased to one million hectares in two years from only
460,000 currently out of 29 million hectares suitable for irrigation.
“Irrigation
can speed up agriculture productivity because there is a possibility of
cultivating twice a year contrary to reliance on rain-fed farming where farmers
harvest once a year,” he said.
He
said irrigation is the best alternative in improving agriculture output in the
country where farming depends on rain-fed farming which is seasonal. He said
also that the increased irrigation networks can assure agro processing
industries with reliable raw materials throughout the year.
Similarly,
by ending seasonal farming through irrigation, agriculture becomes major source
of sustainable jobs to over 80 per cent of population employed in the sector.
Agriculture
has great potential for a faster and sustainable growth as well as high
potential for equitable distribution of the growth benefits to a wider
population in the country.
He
said plans are in the pipeline to develop, construct the irrigation
infrastructure in different parts of the country to ensure proper and sustainable
irrigation systems. He said various measures are already being implemented
where some regions including Mbeya have commenced using the method in paddy
fields.
No comments:
Post a Comment