RC drums for loans to small farmers

Lindi. Lindi Regional Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Zambi has appealed to Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) to extend soft loans to simsim and cassava farmers in the Region so that they could be able to engage in commercialised farming.

He said this during a meeting which brought together cashewnuts stakeholders noting that Lindi was among Regions which produces a lot of simsim and cassava but they lack capital to further production of the crops.

“Farmers in Lindi are ready to assist in attaining green revolution targets but they lack support, mainly financially,” he said noting that there was a need for push which would enable the farmers in the region to shift from subsistence to commercial farming.

He said the Agricultural bank was duty bound to assist the farmers improve their farming by availing them capital through soft loans.

“If TADB managed to extent soft loans to many of the farmers in the country we will be able to achieve green revolution targets and hence becoming a middle income country by 2025,” he insisted.

For his part, TADB Executive Director, Francis Assenga, said the bank was ready to extend loans small farmers but only if they form groups which are easier to monitor and direct.

He said the bank was preparing a special system under which it will work closely with councils on the availability of money to assist small farmers who have formed groups.