The government defended Minjingu NPS+ organic fertilizer, explaining that lack of proper education on application is to blame for poor performance in some parts of the country.
Deputy Minister for agriculture, food security and cooperatives, Mr Adam Malima
“Proper application of the fertilizer has led to increased yields of maize, rice and sunflower in a number of areas particularly in Southern Highlands.
“The challenge facing most farmers is proper use of the fertilizer. It seems agricultural extension officers have failed to appropriately educate the farmers,” Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Adam Malima told the National Assembly.
He explained further that inclusion of Minjingu NPS+ in the subsidy programme was reached after it was scientifically proved through studies on sustainable use of the fertilizer that were conducted in the country.
The Deputy Minister hinted also that some suppliers of imported fertilizers have been deliberately misleading farmers on application of Minjingu NPS+ to that they can continue selling imported products.
Mr Malima made the explanation in response to a basic question by Mbozi East MP Godfery Zambi (CCM) who had complained that the locally produced fertilizer had not performed well in his constituency.
“I am wondering as to why the government continues to supply farmers with Minjingu through the subsidy programme even after kit has proved to be a failure in growing of maize,” the MP said.
Nevertheless, the Deputy Minister strongly defended the fertilizer saying poor application was the only reason that farmers in some parts of the country were not getting expected results.
In a supplementary question, Mbozi West MP David Silinde (Chadema) also complained that the organic fertilizer had failed to improve yields as it was expected.
In a quick rejoinder, Mr Malima said Mbozi and Momba districts in Mbeya Region are among areas which have recorded high yields of maize to the tune of 200,000 tonnes during the last farming season, thanks to proper application of the soil nourishment.
Source Tanzania Daily News
