THE government is determined to invest
heavily to attain the target of producing 25 per cent of food crops in
the country under irrigation farming, the national assembly was told on
Friday.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food
Security and Cooperatives Godfrey Zambi, answering a question by Juma
Njwayo (Tandahimba—CCM), said the government through the Agricultural
Sector Development Programme has been setting aside funds on phases to
invest in irrigation farming on Ruvuma river valley.
He cited the schemes that had
allocations in Tandahimba district as Liapwe (250m/- in 2010/11
financial year and 300m/- in the 2011/12) and Ng’apa (200m/- in 2011/12
and 101m/- in 2013/2014 financial year).
He further said Lipeleng’ende and
Chikwedu- Chipamanda schemes in Newala district received funding to
develop irrigation infrastructure.
Mr Zambi said the government is still
working on various strategies to raise sufficient funds to execute
agricultural projects on Ruvuma river valley, and urged the district
councils to set aside funds through District Agricultural Development
Programmes as well as using other opportunities to get funds.
The legislator, in his question, wanted
to know the government plan to initiate and develop irrigation farming
along Ruvuma River, saying the river provides sufficient water which if
used well can guarantee food supply in the country.
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