A TOTAL of 265 demonstration farms have been established in various councils in the country to enable farmers to learn how to produce seeds and best animal feeds and therefore, increase their reliable availability.
This was said by the Deputy Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega before the National Assembly here yesterday when responding to a question by Sikudhani Chikambo (Special Seat-CCM). In addition, he said in the 2018/2019, the government has increased 2,500 hectares in its farms for the production of animal feeds.
Earlier, the Member of Parliament (MP) had explained that the population in the country is increasing in line with the growing demand for agricultural land and livestock farming. He therefore wanted to know the government’s plan of building capacity for farmers and pastoralists to develop their productivity activities to get rid of what they were getting.
Responding, the deputy minister told the House that the government, through the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, has been providing education to pastoralists on the best farming and production of animal feeds through study farms.
Such education, according to him, will build the pastoralists productive farming as well as developing pasture in designated areas. The purpose of providing such education, he said, aimed at ensuring pastoralists are abandoning migratory farming and settling in one area with improved pastures.
The deputy minister explained further that his ministry has planned to provide reference trainings to pastoralists and extension officers across the country on the best farming that depends on size of available land. He said that already such trainings have started to be provided at Simanjiro District Council in Manyara and Kaliua Council in Tabora and will be provided in phases in all councils in the country.
In addition, the deputy minister said the government has continued with efforts to help pastoralists in eliminating water problems for livestock by digging 1,381 wetlands and 103 wells in various councils in the country.
