Tree planting activities are ongoing at the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency's Sao Hill Forest Plantation, with conservators ensuring the smooth implementation of the exercise during the current rainy season.
This was highlighted during the Technical Committee meeting of the plantation, held on February 7, 2025. The committee convenes monthly to assess the progress of the plantation’s work plan implementation.
While opening the meeting, Chief Conservator of the Plantation, PCO Tebby Yoram, reminded all conservators to continue supervising ongoing plantation activities and to be more innovative in executing their daily duties to achieve both the plantation's and the institution’s overall goals.
He noted that the primary activity at the moment is tree planting, which is progressing well due to thorough preparations, high-quality seedling production, and the availability of essential equipment such as seedling transport vehicles from other TFS-managed stations.
He also commended the cooperation within TFS, emphasizing that the support received from various centers—including Mbizi and Kiwira forest plantations, the Western Zone (Shinyanga), the Central Zone (Dodoma), and the Morogoro Seed Center—has significantly contributed to the efficiency and speed of the planting exercise.
Meanwhile, SCO Said Singano, the conservator overseeing forest development, stated that approximately 4,000 hectares are set to be planted in the 2024/2025 season.
So far, 3,291 hectares have already been covered, ensuring the exercise remains on schedule.
He added that the plantation has received 7,000 indigenous tree seedlings, including Mkangazi and Mkongo, which will be planted in designated natural forest areas within Sao Hill Forest Plantation.
Additionally, the meeting covered various topics, including the assessment of harvesting and revenue collection performance from July to date.
Key revenue sources discussed included timber harvesting, resin extraction, beekeeping, and ecological tourism.
Other agenda items included reviewing findings from the third-quarter work inspection for the 2024/2025 financial year to assess progress, identify challenges, and find timely solutions.
The meeting also reviewed a draft work plan and budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
