Joseph Isangura
The Member of Parliament for Kisesa Constituency Luhaga Mpina,,has raised concerns about the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy program and the large number of farmers who have missed out on this important opportunity.
ReadMore;The Ministry of Agriculture Requests a Budget of TSh 1.28 Trillion.
Speaking in the National Assembly during the budget debate for the Ministry of Agriculture for the fiscal year 2024/2025, Mpina urged the Ministry to clarify why all farmers were not reached and how affected farmers are managing their agricultural activities.
During his address, Mpina mentioned preliminary data from Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe, showing that in 2022/2023, 3,389,951 citizens applied for the fertilizer subsidy. Unfortunately, 2,551,239 citizens (75 percent) did not receive the subsidy despite meeting all eligibility criteria, raising concerns about program implementation and the Ministry’s accountability.
Mpina also highlighted the Agric minister’s lack of clarity on the number of subsidy beneficiaries in 2023/2024, creating uncertainty about the transparency and accountability of the Ministry in fulfilling its obligations to citizens.
The MP stressed that the government-provided fertilizer subsidy should be a right for all in need, citing Section 4(1)(h) of the Fertilizer Act of 2009, which mandates the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) to ensure efficient importation and distribution for accessibility to all.
ReadMore;President Samia Calls for Africa to Boost Climate-Smart Agriculture
Mpina urged the Ministry of Agriculture to take decisive steps to ensure the subsidy reaches all deserving farmers and requested details on measures to assist those who missed out. He emphasized that the subsidy is for all farmers, and it is the government’s duty to ensure its availability and equitable distribution
Farmers in Tanzania encounter challenges in boosting productivity, including access to inputs like fertiliser. Efficient implementation of fertilizer subsidy programs is vital for agricultural sector development and farmer empowerment.
