Tanzanians rejoice as it finally starts raining

  1. Posted on Thursday 26 February 2009 - 21:53
    deo
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    Deo Simba, VoicesofAfrica mobile reporter in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    It hasn't rained for months in Tanzania. The consequence was that the prices of sample food like rice, maize, beans and others rocketed beyond the reach of masses. In the coming weeks, the prices are expected to gradually drop.
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    ‘The situation will be much better from May onward’, says a seller in the Kisutu market in Dar es Salaam.

    Agriculture in Tanzania still relies heavily on availability of rain. So, whenever there is a shortage of rain, then agriculture suffers considerably causing concerns regarding food security. Experts say that if enough capital was to be pumped into modernizing agricultural production in the country, it is possible to turn Tanzania into a major exporter of food crops to neighbouring countries and beyond.

    Reports from the Rufiji Basin Development Authority (RUBADA) have it that the Rufiji Basin alone can produce up to 2 million tonnes of food, if sufficient capital is to be injected there. There are also the former famous Four Giants, that is, Ruvuma, Iringa, Mbeya and Rukwa regions that have potentials of becoming national granaries.

    Poor infrastructures and inadequate supplies of agro-inputs as well as continued use of the traditional farming tools make the realization of these potentials a distant dream. Since independence Tanzania has had to depend on imported food to supplement her own supplies, especially in years that have shortage of rain. It is for this reason that proper plans and political will have to be directed into revolutionizing agriculture in the country to make her self-sufficient in food production and start exporting to generate more income for herself.

    If there is going to be a improvement on agro-production, food prices will go down and make many more people to afford more than just a meal a day. This will have significant impact on people's well being and therefore help propel forward people's development. With more food available in the homes, even vulnerable members of the society will see relief. These include children, women, the elderly and the disabled.

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