MVOMERO DISTRICT COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BY D.M.MUYWANGA

INTRODUCTION The aim is to build a modern and commercial agricultural sector that is highly productive and profitable and utilizes natural resources in a sustainable manner by increasing public investment in agriculture. These will lead to economic growth , food and nutrition security and thus poverty reduction.

INTRODUCTION...... The district occupies a total area of 7,325 km2. The area which is suitable for agricultural activities is 549,375 hectares. The area under cultivation is approximated to be 247,219 hectares, which is equal to 45% of the total area. The area suitable for livestock keeping is 266,400 hectares.

CLIMATE The climate varies from semi and warm tropical to cool high altitude tropical. Rainfall is bimodal, with short rain season in October to December and long rain season in Feb – May. Rainfall ranges between 700mm to 2300mm in lowland areas and 600mm to 2000mm in high altitudes, the mean monthly temperature is 26oC and 18°C respectively.

DISTRICT ECONOMY Mvomero District economy depends mainly on agriculture; more than 80% of population earns their livelihood from Agriculture. Major agricultural enterprises in the district are cash crops, food crops and livestock production. Farming Systems are Crop farming, Agro-pastoralist and pastoralist. Major Cash Crops are Sugarcane, Simsim, Sunflower, Bananas, and vegetables.

DISTRICT ECONOMY Food Crops are Maize, paddy, millet, Cassava, and Pulses. Minor Cash Crops: Coffee, Cocoa, Cotton, Tobacco and spices. Livestock: Beef and dairy cattle, indigenous and dairy goats, Sheep and chicken.

CHALLENGES Over dependence on rain-fed agriculture and low and underdeveloped irrigation potential-constrained by low investment by both the government and private sector Limited capital and access to financial services for the uptake of technology-most crop producers lack capital assets

CHALLENGES Low productivity of land, labour and other production inputs Low technical capacity of the private sector at the community level affects public-private partnership

CHALLENGES Poor rural infrastructure-road networks especially in rural areas are in bad condition and impassable during rainy season. Inadequate support services-agriculture training, researchers and extension services

OPPORTUNITIES Availability of natural resources (land, water) and different agro-ecological zones. Expanding of domestic, regional and international agricultural market opportunities for various agricultural commodities. Comparative advantage in the production of various crops including non-traditional crops

OPPORTUNITIES Availability of existing agricultural extension services, research institutions and private sectors for development of agricultural experts and technologies. Existence of agro-processing industries & different infrastructures.eg. Mtibwa sugar industries, TANRICE ect. Availability of National Agricultural & Livestock policies, human resource capacity to implement such policies

Things to be done in order to improve the situation: To increase the use of technologies with direct effect on yield ( improved seeds, fertilizers, moisture, irrigation, drip irrigation, in case od rice use of SRI-rice intensification systems) To sensitize the use of efficient and labour saving technologies (land preparation, transplanting, weed control, harvesting, threshing) in order to attract youths in agriculture sector

Things to be done in order to improve the situation: To increase profits from crop production to farmers improve crop markets through warehouse receipt systems(WRS), collection centres, value addition agro-processing, and packaging To increase pathways/approaches used in technology dissemination use of ICT eg mobile phones The District intends to collaborate with other development partners in implementing the DADPs.

ASANTE SANA !!