Agriculture stakeholders and economists in Tanzania have expressed satisfaction with the increase of the Ministry’s budget, expressing high expectations from the financial boost. The Ministry of Agriculture’s budget estimates have increased from 751,123,280,000/- to 970,785,619,000/- for the 2023/2024 financial year, which is an increase of 29.24 percent.
The Tanzania Sisal Board (TSB) Director General, Saddy Kambona, said that the financial boost will enable them to install a processing plant, start block farms, and come up with more plants. The increase in the budget according to the expects has high hopes for the country’s farmers as it will help lift local farmers to another level and increase their financial muscle.
Kahama Cooperative Union (KACU) Chairman Hamis Majogoro observed that the increase in the agriculture ministry’s budget means that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has the interest of farmers in her heart. By giving subsidies on farm implements, production will increase, and it will revolutionize the sector.
The Board Chairman of Tandahimba Newala Cooperative Union Limited (TANECU), Karimu Chipola, said that the government has decided to bring major changes in the sector, which will increase revenue in various areas.
He added that this increase in budget means that cashew nut farmers have a guarantee of receiving modern farming inputs from the government and boosting production.
A seasoned economist-cum-banker, Dr Hildebrand Shayo, indicated that if funded as planned, this year’s budget plan would have a huge implication for Tanzania.
He stated that the sector remains a significant thrust of Tanzania’s economic growth. Dr Shayo added that this year’s budget of slightly 29.24 percent is going to positively impact the sector’s ability to deliver services equipment and infrastructure, among others.
He believes that, towards 2030, if all goes as planned, the contribution of agriculture to the government revenue collection will improve significantly, complementing several other sources of revenue.
