Africa-Press – Tanzania. A delegation of experts from the Burundian government has visited the country with the aim to learn about the various steps taken by the government to develop the agricultural sector in Tanzania.
Burundi’s Minister of Constitution, Human Rights, and Gender, Alfred Ahingejeje, who led the delegation, was received by Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli at the ministry’s offices in Mtumba, Dodoma.
The delegation included specialists from CARE International Burundi as well as representatives from CARE International Tanzania, where they also visited the Ministry of Agriculture’s Communication-Based Customer Service Centre located at John Malecela Nanenane Grounds in Dodoma, where Mr Mweli explained how technology is being used in agriculture transitioning from traditional subsistence farming toward commercial agriculture while implementing modern methods to improve farming and farmers’ productivity.
Speaking during their conversation, the PS informed the delegation of the country’s commitment to modernizing Tanzania’s agriculture through extension services for farmers and digital solutions, including phone-based support where farmers and stakeholders can call and receive solutions to their challenges.
Additionally, he said that each extension officer in the country has also been provided with a soil health scanner to assess soil conditions for farmers. Additionally, there is a digital system enabling the Ministry to track motorcycles distributed nationwide to support planned agricultural activities.
“We continue improving the distribution of subsidized fertilizers to boost crop production and agricultural productivity, we have also doubled the budget for research, seed production, irrigation, and strengthening both domestic and international markets for farmers,” he said.
Minister Ahingejeje, while thanking Tanzania for the warm reception and agricultural insights, described the country as an important partner for Burundi in exchanging agricultural experience and emphasized that Burundi will continue learning from Tanzania’s progress.
