Mbarali farmers have been urged to reduce their dependence on rice by diversifying into cashew farming and horticulture as part of efforts to increase household incomes and strengthen the district’s agricultural economy.
Mbarali Member of Parliament Bahati Ndingo said yesterday that although rice remained the district’s main food and commercial crop, farmers had an opportunity to generate additional income by investing in other crops with economic potential.
Mr Ndingo made the remarks on August 8, 2026, when he visited the Mbarali District Council pavilion during the Southern Highlands Zone Nane Nane celebrations in Mbeya.
He said crop diversification would help farmers spread risks associated with relying on a single crop while creating additional sources of income for households.
“Residents of Mbarali have become accustomed to growing rice, which is both a food and commercial crop. However, we now have other crops that can increase productivity and benefit the council and the entire community,” he said.
Mr Ndingo singled out cashew farming as one of the opportunities farmers should consider, saying the crop could complement rice production and broaden the district’s agricultural base.
He said 12 wards in Mbarali had already started growing cashews, with the response from farmers increasing as the Government continued providing agricultural education and seedlings.
The legislator also encouraged residents with small plots of land to engage in vegetable production, saying horticulture could simultaneously improve household food supplies and provide an additional income stream.
“Even with a small piece of land, you can grow vegetables. This can help meet household food needs while also increasing your income,” he said.
Mbarali District Agricultural Officer Sadock Mpangile said the Government was promoting cashew production because of the crop’s potential to improve farmers’ earnings.
He said large parts of the district were suitable for cashew production and that farmers were receiving seedlings as part of efforts to expand the crop.
“Most areas in Mbarali are performing well. Almost every year, the Government provides about 60,000 seedlings for farmers,” Mr Mpangile said.
According to Mr Mpangile, the growing number of farmers taking up cashew farming shows that the crop is gradually becoming an important part of Mbarali’s agricultural landscape.
He said continued access to quality seedlings and extension services would be important in helping farmers establish productive cashew orchards.
Mbarali District CCM Chairperson Mary Mbwilo called on agricultural extension officers to increase education for farmers on cashew farming and other commercially viable crops.
She said better access to agricultural knowledge would enable farmers to identify profitable opportunities and make informed decisions about crop selection.
Ms Mbwilo urged farmers to take advantage of crops with higher economic potential, arguing that diversification could help improve household incomes while contributing to the district’s broader economic development.
For Mbarali, where rice production has long dominated the agricultural economy, the growing push for cashew and horticulture reflects efforts to widen the district’s agricultural portfolio and create more income opportunities for farmers.
