Mpango: Mechanising agriculture is our aim

Kibaha. The government has reiterated its commitment to developing agriculture in the country as it seeks to ensure that the sector plays a pivotal role in Tanzania’s industrialisation drive.

Speaking during his tour of the Kibaha-based tractor assembling factory, Ursus-Tamco Limited, the Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Philip Mpango said here on Wednesday  that in the endeavor to develop agriculture, special emphasis will be put on mechanisation. So far, the company has assembled a total of 204 tractors.

“The National Development Corporation (NDC) is seeking approval from the government so it can employ 90 people who will specifically work on this project. We will swiftly approve the application….Our goal is to ensure that we develop agriculture for the general good of the population,” he said. Available figures show that up to 70 per cent of Tanzania’s arable land is cultivated by hoes while mechanisation accounts for slightly above ten per cent. According to Dr Mpango, the government will also ensure that the 267 tractors – currently at the Port of Dar es Salaam – are cleared so they can be sold to Tanzanians and help in advancing agriculture.

In his remarks, the manager for the Ursus-Tamco project from NDC, Mr Adam Mbura, said the scheme will also involve establishing eight sales point for tractors and other farming implements across the country.

“Clearance of the 64 containers, containing spare parts to be used in the assembling of 267 tractors and other equipment that are currently at the project area here at Kibaha in the Coast Region will surely help in ensuring that the project moves ahead,” he said.