Women’s agro-business efforts to be supported

DAILY NEWS Reporter

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries William ole Nasha

THE government has pledged to provide modern agricultural inputs including tractors to women practising modern agriculture through the Centre for Advancement of Women in
Agriculture in Tanzania (CAWAT) to participate fully in adopting agro-business practices.

This was said in Dar es Salaam at the weekend by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, William Ole Nasha who represented Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa at the fundraising event seeking to empower women adopt modern agro-business practices.
During the event, the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) committed to allocate 600m/- for empowering women through CAWAT. “The inputs that include tractors will be provided to women groups interested and ready to practise modern farming through CAWAT.
Further, the beneficiaries will be assured of reliable markets for their produce,” said Mr Ole Nasha who contributed 2m/- at the event. On his part, the TADB’s Acting Managing Director, Francis Assenga, said by partnering with CAWAT, women empowerment to adopt modern farming will be made possible.
“Basically we are satisfied with their plans as they are consistent with our goals, we are convinced that this is a very good start and we see a bright future,” he said. During the event, a total amount of 27m/- in cash was collected and pledges from various participants. Also, Japan and Switzerland Embassies had expressed their willingness to support various projects undertaken by CAWAT.
Other institutions that pledged to support CAWAT were PPF Pension Fund, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and Yetu Microfinance that promised to provide agricultural loans to CAWAT members.
Speaking during the occasion, Dr Victoria Kisyombe, the chairperson, CAWAT Board of Directors and the Land O’ Lake International Development, Chief of Party, Dr Rose Kingamkono said CAWAT is in its early stages of transitioning from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Innovation and Gender Equality (IGE) project to one that is fully independent
“As is the case with all new organizations, forming a fully-functioning, well-managed and financially viable independent entity is a lengthy process and that is why we called for harambee.
Thanks God as now we can see the light at the end of tunnel,’’ said Dr Kingamkono.