Tanzania yesterday signed an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
Under the pact, Tanzania will get a grant of Sh6.02 billion. Speaking
during the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, the permanent secretary in
the ministry of Finance, Dr Servacius Likwelile, said the funds would
be utilised to procure fertiliser, which, in turn, will increase
agricultural production.
“The government will use the proceeds realised from sale of fertiliser for economic and social development,” said Dr Likwelile.
He explained that such funds could be used to support underprivileged
farmers so as to increase production, stabilise prices of agricultural
produce and its availability through rehabilitation and construction of
access roads to the market.
He underscored the importance of supporting farmers and agriculture to
uplift Tanzanians from poverty. Agriculture employs about 74 per cent of
the country’s labour force.
“Interventions that can facilitate increased productivity in the sector
through adding value to its product, creating an enabling environment
for agriculture and attracting the middle class to engage in
agricultural production will have a significant impact on the lives of a
significant proportion of the population and increase the pace of
poverty reduction,” he said.
According to him, the grant will further support the government
initiative toward its target for 2015 under the five years development
plan.
