Joseph Isangura
In a move to bolster the agricultural sector, the Sixth Phase Government, led by Her Excellency President Dr. Samia, has substantially raised the irrigation budget.
The allocation has surged from 46.5 billion Tanzanian shillings in the fiscal year 2021/2022 to 373.5 billion Tanzanian shillings for the fiscal year 2023/2024.
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This significant increase aims to fund multiple irrigation projects geared towards boosting productivity for farmers across the country.
At the signing ceremony of 20 irrigation project contracts on April 30, 2024, with the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania in attendance, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe, praised President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for her dedication to prioritising long-term investments in the agricultural sector, particularly in irrigation.
He highlighted the substantial reforms that have been implemented within the sector. “The agricultural sector has undergone significant reforms and investment in key areas to increase productivity and efficiency, promote commercial agriculture, and improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
Recognising the importance of this, the Sixth Phase Government has increased the irrigation sector budget from 46.5 billion Tanzanian shillings in 2021/2022 to 361.5 billion Tanzanian shillings in 2022/2023, and further to 373.5 billion Tanzanian shillings in 2023/2024,” , Minister of Agriculture Hussein Bashe underscored.
The ,Minister , expressed gratitude and praised President Samia for her dedication to prioritising investments in the agricultural sector and providing adequate funding for irrigation projects.
He emphasised that these steps represent significant reforms in the agricultural sector, aiming to increase productivity, promote commercial agriculture, and uplift the income of small-scale farmers.
The Director-General of the National Irrigation Commission, Raymond Mndolwa, also stated that the Commission had planned to construct, rehabilitate, and conduct feasibility studies and detailed designs for 780 irrigation projects within a two-year period. “Irrigation projects typically take more than 18 months to complete.
Therefore, the completion of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation in these schemes over these two years will increase the irrigated area by more than 256,000 hectares, reaching a total of 983,465.46 hectares, equivalent to 81.9% of the target of 1,200,000 hectares by 2025.
This increase will create approximately 1,352,127 permanent jobs,” said Mr. Mndolwa. Government’s decision to increase the irrigation budget demonstrates its commitment to the agricultural sector’s development and the well-being of farmers is a laudable decision as agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the country’s s economy.
By investing in irrigation projects, the government seeks to increase agricultural output and achieve a more modern and productive agricultural sector.
The additional funding will support the implementation of numerous irrigation projects, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
