Africa-Press – Tanzania. CCM presidential candidate, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday pledged to continue strengthening tobacco production, secure better markets and ensure the crop benefits both farmers and the nation at large.
Addressing campaign rallies in Uyui, Urambo and Kaliua districts, Dr Samia said her government would guarantee tobacco farmers continued access to subsidised fertilisers and other inputs designed to boost the sector.
She emphasised that since tobacco is the main cash crop in Tabora Region, her administration would ensure reliable and profitable markets are secured.
Dr Samia noted that the government has already expanded tobacco production and attracted more buyers, which has helped push up prices and earnings for farmers.
She commended growers for improving output over the past four years, saying even greater benefits lie ahead as the government rolls out additional plans to uplift agriculture.
In Urambo District, she said tobacco production stood at 11,208 tonnes in 2022 but has since doubled to 20,492 tonnes this year.
“This is a major achievement, an increase of about 120 per cent. Our focus now is to push for even greater production,” she said.
She added that her government has put in place strategies to secure good markets abroad.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure we secure reliable markets for Tanzanian tobacco,” she stressed.
Dr Samia revealed that in the 2024/25 financial year, Urambo District alone earned 50 million US dollars from tobacco.
“Tabora has changed, Urambo has changed as well. Development is visible compared to previous years and farmers are earning much more. We pledge to continue finding even more profitable markets for our tobacco,” she said.
She also addressed farmers’ concerns that some companies have delayed payments for purchased tobacco, assuring them that the government is engaging with the firms to ensure all pending payments are cleared.
However, she cautioned farmers against cutting down trees to dry tobacco and other crops, saying the practice undermines environmental conservation.
“The government is strongly promoting the use of modern drying methods instead of firewood. We are also running a clean cooking energy campaign alongside tree planting and environmental preservation. Cutting trees is unacceptable,” she said.
Dr Samia further assured farmers that subsidies on fertilisers and inputs would continue, reiterating that agriculture must remain a key driver of Tanzania’s economic growth.
Turning to broader development plans, she highlighted a range of projects implemented over the past four years to improve people’s welfare.
“We will maintain the pace and even do more. We are committed to protecting the dignity of every Tanzanian,” she said.
She pledged to continue upgrading rural and urban roads to ease yearround transport of people and goods, expand access to clean and safe water through the Lake Victoria Water Project and accelerate rural electrification.
She also promised the construction of schools, vocational training colleges, health centres and other essential social services.
On livestock, Dr Samia pledged to establish new dips, modern abattoirs, expand vaccination programmes and secure wider markets for livestock products.
If re-elected, she vowed to recruit 5,000 new health workers and 7,000 new education workers within the first 100 days of her new term, with staff deployed across Uyui, Kaliua, Urambo and other districts
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