Kebanchabancha village in Serengeti District has generated about 999m/- from tobacco farming this season.
“Just imagine tobacco farmers in Kebanchabancha village alone have earned 999 m/– this season”, Serengeti District Council Chairman Mr John Ng’oina told the ‘Sunday News’ in Mugumu town in Serengeti District, Mara Region.
Kebanchabancha is followed by Nyamakendo village whose tobacco farmers have earned around 926 ml- during the same period. The two villages are the homes of thousands of families who were experiencing economic hardships in the past, thanks to whoever is supporting the introduction of this cash crop in Mara Region.
At district level, unspecified number of farmers has generated over 8bn/- after they sold 2,520.13 tonnes of tobacco this season. According to the latest report confirmed by Serengeti District Council Executive(DED) Ms Goody Pamba, over 400m/- has been collected from tobacco which is doing better than other sectors.
The 400m/- is expected to boost the councils’ efforts meant to improve living conditions of Serengeti people if well spent. Introduction of tobacco farming is now seen as the best option for the majority of farmers in Serengeti District.
This year the government has officially allowed large-scale production of tobacco in three districts, including Serengeti, Tarime and Rorya. Mara Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John said that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives supports tobacco commercial farming.
Key stakeholders are on high alert to ensure that tobacco farming does not threat the environment. There are reports that Alliance One Tobacco Tanzania Ltd is already supporting massive tree planting campaign in various parts of Serengeti, as part of the mitigation measures aimed at conserving and protecting environment in the area.
By MUGINI JACOB, Tanzania Daily News
