Joseph Isangura
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on farmers in Meatu District and across the nation to boost the production of cotton and other essential crops that can power local industries and attract long-term investment.
Addressing a large public gathering at the Meatu bus stand grounds in Simiyu Region on Tuesday, President Samia praised farmers for their achievements and encouraged continued agricultural efforts to support Tanzania’s ambitious industrialization agenda.
“I urge you to keep producing cotton and other crops that will feed our industries and create more opportunities for investment,” she said, underlining the role of agriculture in transforming the national economy.
President Samia commended Meatu’s farming community for their tremendous progress, highlighting a jump in cotton output from 22 million kilogrammes in 2020 to over 40 million kilogrammes in 2025. This significant increase, she said, reflects dedication by farmers and enhanced support from government programs.
The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has provided improved seed varieties, farming equipment, and training to farmers in cotton-rich areas like Meatu, contributing to a rebound in national output.
Cotton remains a vital crop in Tanzania’s economy, not only for exports but also for local use in the textile and garments industry, which is central to the country’s move toward value-added manufacturing.
President Samia emphasized that the success of Tanzania’s manufacturing sector depends on reliable supplies of raw materials. She urged farmers to see themselves not just as food producers, but as key players in an integrated value chain that ends in industrial output.
This strategy is part of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, which seeks to make the country semi-industrialized, inclusive, and export-driven by leveraging its agricultural wealth.
“When you farm consistently, you attract industries. When industries thrive, jobs are created,” the President said.
The President used her visit to speak directly to young people and women, encouraging them to see farming not as a last resort, but as a path to prosperity. She reiterated that agriculture must be viewed as a business, with access to markets, financing, and mechanization.
She also appealed to private investors to set up more processing plants in rural areas like Simiyu. With increased crop production and reliable supply chains, these areas are ripe for agro-industrial development.
“We want to see industries being built where crops are grown—this reduces transportation costs, creates jobs, and adds value locally,” she said.
President Samia’s message ties directly into government efforts to build rural infrastructure such as feeder roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. These investments are crucial to reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring timely delivery of produce to factories.
Meanwhile, digital tools like e-extension services and mobile-based crop information systems are being introduced to modernize farming practices across regions.
With this level of support, districts like Meatu stand at the heart of Tanzania’s future — not just as farming zones, but as emerging hubs of industry and innovation.
