Commit new year to farmers’ issues - Mshiu
by Simba Nyamaume
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Mr. Elias Mshiu |
The Chairman and
Executive Director of the Tanganyika Farmers Association (TFA), Mr. Elias Mshiu
has appealed to the government to dedicate the new year towards improvement of
the agricultural and livestock sectors.
Mr. Mshiu said in his new year’s message
that although the two sectors are the lifeline of the national economy, they are
yet to receive the attention they deserve as farming is largely subsistence and
unsustainable.
"Farmers and livestock keepers in this
country lack sufficient capital to invest in viable projects ", he said adding
that they also have no reliable markets for their produce.
He suggested a number of steps that should
be taken by the government to alleviate poverty among the population. The
measures include enabling national bodies like the Tanzania Fertilizer Company (TFC),
the Cooperative Organization (WASHIRIKA) and TFA to protect and promote farmers
interests.
Mr. Mshiu also suggested that farmers and
livestock organization like the Tanzania Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (TCAL)
be empowered by the government to become real representatives for the farming
community and institutions dealing with agriculture.
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