AfricaPress-Tanzania: IMPROVEMENT of livestock and fishing sectors by setting up strategic plans to enable smooth operations were among the key highlights in President John Magufuli’s speech as he inaugurated the 12th Parliament in Dodoma on Friday.
President Magufuli identified key areas that aim at bringing both social and economic changes, touching on creation of jobs, boosting businesses, ensuring enough food production and guaranteed raw materials for local industries.
He said by improving the two strategic sectors, majority Tanzanians will be able to engage in various activities and thus build both individual and national economy.
The Head of State expressed the government commitment in strengthening the livestock sector, saying the coming five years will bring major changes in the sector to give room for economic development.
To start with, President Magufuli invited the private sector to venture into the livestock sector by establishing businesses in various areas of their interests.
He guaranteed support to private investors as he gave a precaution to government officials who will dare delay investment procedures.
“Tanzania is ranked number two in Africa with a large number of livestock, statistically, there are 33.4 million cows, 21.3 million goats and many others, but the country has not benefitted enough from this sector as required,” said Dr Magufuli.
He added: “I would like to invite the private sector to explore opportunities in the sector, there are many opportunities, including animal skin processing and many other animal products,” The Head of State said the government has already set plans to increase grazing areas for pastoralists from the current 2.7 million hectors to 6 million hectors.
“Our aim is to ensure there is enough allocated areas for pastoralists to graze animals, this will help to bring changes in the sector,” said President Magufuli.
He said the government will also put more emphasis on production of animal feeds with the aim of providing all vital nutrients to animals.
According to Dr Magufuli, the production of animal feed is set to increase in five years, from 900,000 tonnes to 8 million tonnes.
He said the government is also looking forward to finishing the construction of seven abattoirs across the country.
The seven facilities will enable modern slaughtering of 6,700 cows and 11,000 goats every day.
On fishing, the Head of State said the government has already laid strategies for improving fishing activities in deep sea, and that eight fishing vessels will be purchased for the purpose.
He said the government is currently engaged in talks with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to bring the vessels that will boost fishing and facilitate studies related to the activity in the Indian Ocean. He said four of the vessels will operate in Zanzibar and four will be used in Tanzania Mainland.
President Magufuli said the government focuses on collecting at least 350bn/- annually from the fishing sector contrary to the 30bn/- which was collected from 2009 to 2019.
“This means in average, the government got only 3bn/- every year, we need to build up strong system and facilitate fishing in deep sea,” he noted.
President Magufuli said the move will go along with the construction of a fishing port that will provide employment to more than 30,000 people.
According to President Magufuli, his government will also facilitate the provision of loans and trainings to youth who are engaged in fishing activities in various parts of the country
