Eight international and local organizations have teamed up to establish a special programme that will transform lives of peasants in four districts of Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions, from subsistence growers into large exporters of vegetables.
Coordinated under the World Vision Tanzania (WVT), the ‘Sustainable Market-Led Agriculture and Resource Management (SMART)’ initiative, is projected to benefit more than 3000 local growers in Meru and Arusha-rural districts of Arusha Region as well as Siha and Hai districts in Kilimanjaro, according to the programme manager, Mr Lukindo Hiza.
The Meru District version of SMART Tanzania programme was launched at Engarenanyuki Ward along the slopes of Mount Meru, where the District Administrative Secretary, Ms Everline Mboma, reminded local farmers that while the number of people and farms keep increasing, the size of land and available natural resources remain the same.
” It is therefore, important to ensure that you go about your agricultural activities with great responsibility, preserving the environment and especially water sources for future generations,” stated the Arumeru DAS.
She also pointed out that Meru District which has many commercial greenhouses for fresh cut flowers for years has been the country’s major producer of horticultural products for exports in Tanzania but peasants who grow tomatoes, carrots and other types of vegetables have not been able to break through.
“And, that is why we have decided to help local farmers secure markets abroad, but before that we are going to send experts and extension officers to train local growers on how to produce vegetables that meet European standards,” stated Mr Zelote Loilanga’kaki, the Zonal Manager for World Vision Tanzania.
Mr Loilanga’kaki explained that most parts of Meru and Arusha-Rural Districts had the potential of growing tomatoes, onions, carrots and cucumbers, vegetables that are in demand abroad but local growers here were not aware of the opportunities beckoning them.
He added that, in addition to securing overseas markets for Tanzanian vegetables, SMART will work to ensure that the four districts are assured of ample harvest to guarantee food security in the areas.
The SMART project in Tanzania is being executed by the Canadian Cooperative Association (CCA), African Conservation Tillage Network (ACTN), Farm Radio International, Vision Fund and Farm Concern International, with the WVT coordination.
Under the project, members of the more than 30 farming groups in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions are set to kiss poverty goodbye in line with the nation’s new green revolution initiative, ‘Kilimo Kwanza!’
By MARC NKWAME, Tanzania Daily News
