The crop market has expanded and it is a boom time for soya farmers to mobilize it and meet the increased demand locally and also internationally.
According to Eastern Africa Grain Council Programme Manager Ikunda Terry the soya demands are on rise lately and the John Magufuli government should help in mobilizing farmers to increase its production.
Data reveals the current production is not at par to the hiked demand as farmers are still using traditional methods
During a meeting with soya stakeholders organized by the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) Terry added there are sufficient arable land in the country and those are fit for soya cultivation to meet the high demands in mainly the fishing feeds production and livestock industries.
About how to increase production he said, “Tanzania boasts of the large and arable land fit for such farming but the production systems do not support productivity.”
An optimistic soya farmer said she had an opportunity to attend such meeting for the first time that discusses on challenges and amicable solution in the trade.
Buyers, farmers and government officials attended the meeting to discuss how to meet the high demand of soya and in what way commercial farming can be utilized.
Basil Msuha, an official from ministry of local government, said the farmers have experienced several challenges in cultivation and these need to be solved with the help of different means.
He added that the local authorities are involved in dealing with the challenges and it is hoped a conducive production environment can be created for farmers.