Tanzanian government plans to irrigate 1 million hectares by 2020
Most of the crops grown in Tanzania rely on rain to grow, but with worsening weather conditions this dependence is being rethought.
Agriculture accounts for about 25 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the sector employs nearly 70 per cent of the working population.
After the intense droughts, irrigation farming is being suggested as the long-term intervention needed to save agriculture. Tanzania is one of the countries which have a huge potential for irrigation farming--a potential that hasn't been well exploited.
The National Irrigation Master Plan (NIMP) 2002 prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Security and Co-operatives in collaboration with the government of Japan through its International Cooperation Agency (Jica) indicated that the total irrigation development potential in Tanzania Mainland stands at 29.4 million hectares.
Out of those, 2.3 million hectares are classified as high potential, 4.8 million hectares medium potential and 22.3 million hectares as low potential.
However, presently only 460,000 hectares are under irrigation. The ultimate goal the government says is to expand irrigation farming to cover at least one million hectares come 2020.
The director general of the National Irrigation Commission, Mr Seth Luswema, says there is political will to develop irrigation in the country but more investment focus is needed from both the public and the private sector.
"We are now reviewing the irrigation masterplan as part of our effort to reach the targets," he said over the phone, adding: "Funding is still a challenge and as you know, it depends on the revenue collection. Some projects are integrated to have water resources and generate power. This kind of investment is not a joke. It needs collective efforts from public and private sectors," he added.
He said Tanzania needs between Sh2 trillion and Sh5 trillion to complete irrigation projects that will increase the coverage to one million hectares as planned.
"Although some of these investments might seem expensive, they would provide huge benefits to communities in the developing world and have the potential to help millions leave poverty and hunger behind," adds Ms Ringler.
1 SH = 0.00044 US Dollar
source: allafrica.com
