The government has ordered an assessment of water sources at Sao Hill Government Livestock Farm in Mafinga, Iringa Region, as it moves to establish irrigation infrastructure aimed at increasing pasture production and easing farmer-pastoralist conflicts.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo directed experts from the National Irrigation Commission to work with officials from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to assess the available water sources and determine what is required to implement the project.
Dr Chongolo issued the directive on Saturday, September 12, 2026, during a visit to Sao Hill Livestock Farm, where he inspected the farm's water sources alongside Livestock and Fisheries Minister Bashiru Ally.
The proposed irrigation system is expected to provide reliable pasture and water for livestock, enabling livestock keepers to maintain their animals within designated areas instead of moving into crop-growing areas in search of grazing land and water.
The move could help address one of the long-running causes of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, particularly competition over land, pasture and water.
Dr Chongolo said the assessment should be conducted quickly to pave the way for the construction of the required water infrastructure.
The visit also marked an effort by the two ministries to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and livestock development, particularly in pasture production and water management.
Dr Bashiru said modern livestock farming required reliable access to pasture and water, improved breeds, animal health services, infrastructure, capital and markets.
He said strengthening these areas would be critical to improving productivity and enabling small-scale livestock keepers to move towards more commercial and sustainable production.
The government is also seeking to expand local production of animal feed and pasture as part of efforts to improve livestock productivity and reduce pressure on available grazing areas.
Mufindi District Commissioner Linda Selekwa said Mafinga Town and Mufindi councils had been using the 10 per cent allocation for economic empowerment to support young people and women engaged in livestock keeping and vegetable farming.
She said the initiative was also intended to increase protein production and help address malnutrition, with the two councils having so far disbursed a combined Sh2 billion.
Mafinga Urban MP Dickson Lutevele and Isimani MP Emanuela Kaganda welcomed the cooperation between the two ministries, saying it could strengthen agriculture and livestock production in the area.
They said investment in Sao Hill Livestock Farm would be particularly important in improving access to pasture and water while supporting more productive livestock keeping.