AfricaPress-Tanzania: The Sugar Industry Development Fund (SIDTF) has approved Shs 1.6 billion to fund the training and operational services of the National Sugar College, to ensure the country is self-sufficient in the production of the product.
Speaking to sugar industry stakeholders yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Kusaya, said the country could expect major changes, as the only (NSI) college in East and Central Africa that specializes in sugar technology, is expected to return to training. September this year.
Among the stakeholders who attended the conference in Dodoma are the Sugar Board, the Ministry of Agriculture, large and small sugarcane growers and sugar producers.
Kusaya said the lack of trainers, the deterioration of training facilities and the deterioration of college infrastructure, led to a prolonged suspension of sugarcane training and sugar production.
He said efforts by the government and stakeholders in the sugar industry to strengthen it have begun and that they continue to be made better and provide training in sugarcane cultivation and sugar production in the country.
The Secretary-General said the efforts of the Government and stakeholders have enabled the college to obtain the approval of the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) to provide training at the Diploma and Degree level in sugarcane cultivation and sugar production.
The head of the National Sugar College, Aloyce Kazimili said there are teachers but they did not study the profession of sugarcane cultivation. He asked the government to educate them in the area, to make it easier to be employed once the employment permit is issued.
Kusaya instructed the Director of Administration and Human Resources Ministry of Agriculture, to provide temporary transfer to two staff members of the Supply and Procurement Unit and the Internal Auditor, to facilitate the initial steps to revive the establishment of the National Sugar College.
He promised stakeholders who attended the meeting that he would make sure the renovation started immediately using local experts.
