In a significant move aimed at boosting the agricultural sector, Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Hon. David Silinde, handed over 61,000 tonnes of subsidized NPK 10:18:24 fertilizer to Mbeya Regional Commissioner, Hon. Juma Homera.
The fertilizer will be used primarily for tobacco farming and is set to be distributed to farmers across the nation before the onset of the rainy season.
During the handover ceremony held at Tanzania Fertilizer Company’s (TFC) warehouse in Iyunga, Mbeya, Hon. Silinde emphasized that the directive from President Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure timely distribution of fertilizer ahead of the farming season had been fulfilled.
“I would like to inform Tanzanians that the subsidized fertilizer has started arriving in the country, particularly for tobacco farmers. I am handing it over to the Regional Commissioner to ensure it reaches farmers in time, as Regional Commissioners are key overseers of agricultural activities in local government authorities,” Hon. Silinde said.
Hon. Juma Homera expressed his appreciation, noting that the people of Chunya District and the neighboring region of Songwe had long awaited support for tobacco farming.
The President has responded to this need by ensuring that over 170 trucks of fertilizer have already arrived out of a total of 2,030 trucks expected.
“With this fertilizer, we are targeting to produce over 30,000 tonnes of tobacco this season. We’ve seen growth from 8,000 tonnes to 16,000 tonnes, and now we are at 24,000 tonnes. Our goal is to reach between 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes of tobacco production in Mbeya and the neighboring Songwe region,” Hon. Homera explained.
He further emphasized President Samia Suluhu Hassan's vision of reducing poverty among Tanzanians, urging cooperative leaders to promptly collect and distribute the fertilizer, which will significantly enhance tobacco production.
TFC’s Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Mshote, revealed that the company plans to distribute 130,000 tonnes of subsidized fertilizer in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Of this, 61,000 tonnes are earmarked for tobacco farming.
The initiative is expected to support farmers, enhance productivity, and contribute to the nation's agricultural growth, ensuring a prosperous farming season ahead.