Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Zanzibar’s Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Suleiman Masoud Makame, has said that stronger collaboration between farmers and agricultural stakeholders will help secure the islands’ long term food security.
The Minister made the remarks during a tour of irrigation, livestock and forestry infrastructure projects in the North Unguja Region.
He emphasised that Zanzibar’s food security will continue to improve if farmers and stakeholders work together as a unified force.
Mr Makame noted that the Kilombero rice irrigation project has significant potential, but its success depends on farmers cooperating effectively to maximise productivity.
“We know that if farmers in this valley, including field officers and extension workers, work as one team, the rice crop will flourish,” he said.
The Minister said the purpose of the visit was to assess existing challenges and find sustainable solutions, assuring farmers that the Government will continue to support their efforts.
Speaking at the Donge Muwanda Livestock Quarantine and Slaughter Facility, Makame said that to effectively detect diseases in animals brought from outside Zanzibar, well-equipped laboratories must be established.
This, he said, is essential for ensuring consumer safety. He reminded local authorities that Donge Muwanda is the only legally designated facility for handling livestock from outside Zanzibar and urged strict adherence to regulations.
On the clove sector, the Minister expressed concern that although farmers receive clove seedlings, many fail to maintain them properly.
He advised agricultural officers to provide professional guidance before distributing seedlings. He added that Zanzibar still needs more clove seedlings, and urged officers to intensify production in nurseries.
Mr Makame also noted that despite the efforts of forestry officers, encroachment into protected forest areas remains a challenge.
He said protecting forests is essential to mitigating climate change effects, especially rising temperatures.
“Protecting our forests will improve the environment and reduce the impact of climate change,” the minister said.
Deputy Minister Dr Salum Sudi Hamid, who accompanied the tour, said the visit was strategic in identifying challenges within the ministry’s departments and ensuring they are addressed.
He noted that the team observed the availability of rice-drying equipment as well as tractors to help farmers boost productivity.
He reiterated that the government’s goal is to ensure farmers and livestock keepers benefit from their work. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Saleh Mohamed Haji said the ministry is committed to addressing challenges facing farmers and livestock keepers.
He described the tour as an important opportunity for direct engagement and problemsolving.
“Each stop offered an opportunity to hear concerns and provide clarifications— this tour has been of great value,” he said.
Agriculture training officer Mr Salum Rehani reported that the Kilombero irrigation project has significantly increased rice yields each year, while urging enhanced research and betterquality seeds, especially for fruit crops, to maximise productivity.
Irrigation scheme supervisor Ms Saida Ali Mohammed said farmers are generally planting on time, but power supply disruptions have hindered water pumping in the valley.
She added that production tends to decrease during the short rains but increases during the dryseason harvest.
Speaking on behalf of fellow farmers, Mr Yussuf Faki said rodent infestations have been a major challenge during the flowering stage of the rice crop.
He urged the ministry to bring agricultural inputs closer to farmers to reduce long travel distances.
At the Kiwengwa Forest Reserve station, chief warden Mr Haji Kai said despite officers working day and night to protect forests, illegal harvesting continues. He appealed for increased security support.
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