Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) has unveiled its development blueprint for Zanzibar, placing food security and agricultural reform at the heart of its campaign ahead of the October 29th General Election.
Speaking to journalists at Kiembesamaki, the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Hamad Rashid Mohammed, emphasised that sustainable development starts with a well-nourished population, pledging to transform agriculture into a modern, productive and science-driven sector.
“To reach real progress, we must first ensure our people are well-fed. This will only be possible by shifting away from traditional subsistence farming and adopting proper land-use planning and modern agricultural practices,” he said.
Mr Hamad stated that ADC’s guiding policy, ‘Food First,’ is designed to build a strong, self-reliant workforce to drive Zanzibar’s economic growth.
He emphasised the importance of treating agriculture as a science, supported by expert knowledge in key areas such as soil health, irrigation, seeds, fertilisers, sunlight and climate, each functioning like interconnected links in a chain.
“Countries that have succeeded in agriculture prioritised these elements. As a result, they produce in surplus, sell to others and maintain food reserves. Zanzibar has fertile land and adequate rainfall, we only lack proper planning, which ADC is ready to deliver,” he said.
On education, Mr Hamad pledged to reform the sector to ensure that modern technology becomes a tool for empowerment, not a distraction. He said students must acquire relevant knowledge that contributes to national development and the economy.
He also vowed to improve teachers’ welfare, including offering opportunities for further education and professional development, to ensure they deliver quality teaching and help shape a competent future generation.
On employment, the ADC candidate proposed setting the minimum monthly salary for public servants at 600,000/-, while cautioning that salaries alone won’t solve economic hardship.
“The biggest challenge in Zanzibar is inflation. Many goods are sold without proper weighing or measurement in the markets, making prices unpredictable. That’s why we will support traders by providing free weighing scales to ensure fair trade and price stability,” he noted.
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