Mbarali MP Bahati Ndingo has urged the government to find a lasting solution to land access challenges facing smallholder farmers, saying the high cost of renting farms is eroding their earnings and affecting household livelihoods.
Ms Ndingo said many farmers in the district lacked permanent farmland and were forced to rent plots every farming season, leaving them with lower returns from their agricultural activities.
She made the appeal during a ceremony in Rujewa, Mbeya Region, where Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi laid the foundation stone for the 28 Towns Water Project.
The MP said securing access to permanent farming land would ease the financial burden on smallholder farmers, improve productivity and enable them to benefit more from their hard work.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Ndejembi said the government recognised the challenges facing farmers and the importance of creating a favourable environment for agricultural production.
He commended Ms Ndingo for championing farmers’ interests in her constituency, saying the government was committed to finding a lasting solution that would enable farmers to access land for cultivation rather than depend on seasonal rentals.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo said the government had begun implementing directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to address the challenge.
He said initial measures were under way to resolve the issue, but warned that some individuals were seeking to exploit the process for personal gain.
Mr Chongolo said the government would ensure fairness in the process and safeguard the interests of citizens who qualified for access to the farming land.
For smallholder farmers in Mbarali, access to affordable and secure farmland remains critical to reducing production costs, improving household incomes and strengthening agricultural productivity.