THE extent of the outbreak of crop pests and diseases in the country has caused famers to suffer loss of over 270bn/-, it has been revealed. Amount lost due to grain loss in 2005/2006, according to a report presented by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) before the National Assembly on Monday, was approximately 240bn/-
The CAG, Prof Musa Assad, likewise
pointed out the impact of quelea quelea was high in 2014, whereby 1,344
hectares were affected, causing a loss of almost 4,704 tons, costing
approximately 4.704bn/-.
Furthermore, the report on the
implementation of strategies for managing agricultural crop pests and
diseases outbreak in Tanzania shows that as from January 2014 to
November 2014, about 2,964,240 banana plants were infected with Banana
Xanthomonas wilt.
Prof Assad further indicates in the
report that to prevent further spread of the disease, about 2,877,653
banana plants with monetary value of 28,776,530,000/- were uprooted,
which is actually a loss of income to farmers.
In Tanzania, the agricultural sector is
central to sustainable development of the country as it contributes to
almost 24 per cent of the country’s GDP. Equally, agriculture is a
leading sector that employs majority of its citizens approximately 75
per cent of the whole population, the majority of which reside in rural
areas.
The management of agricultural crop
pests and diseases outbreaks in Tanzania has not adequately reduced the
impact caused by the outbreaks as in most parts of Tanzania as there is a
public outcry regarding productivity loss prevailing in the country.
Crop pests and diseases outbreaks
contribute to more yields loss. This situation prompted the audit office
to carry out a performance audit on management of agricultural crop
pests and diseases outbreaks in Tanzania by Ministry of Agriculture,
Livestock and Fisheries.
The audit by the CAG found that
agricultural crop pests and diseases outbreaks were a threat to farmers
and nearly all regions in Tanzania were affected.
Local Government authorities affected
range from four to 66 while the area infested ranges from 81 hectares to
200,000 hectares. He, therefore, recommends to the ministry to
emphasise on conducting surveillance for early identification of pests
and diseases to minimise yield loss and cost of controlling outbreaks.
The ministry, according to the CAG,
should establish mechanisms that would improve sharing of outbreak
information with the President’s Office - Regional Administration and
Local Government -- and coordinate smooth intervention on management of
Agricultural Crop Pests and Diseases outbreaks.
The CAG also recommends that the
President’s Office should strengthen mechanisms that will improve
sharing of outbreak information with the responsible ministry. It should
also ensure that local government authorities incorporate the aspect of
management of agricultural pests and diseases outbreaks in their
strategic plans
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