There is good news emanating from one of the areas that are famous for growing paddy. Farmers in Moshi District, have produced so much rice that they cannot find a market for the surplus!

Production of rice in the area has doubled, from an average of three tons per hectares a few years back to six. Over the same period, there has also been an increase in area of land under cultivation at the Lower Moshi Rice Project, from 300ha to l,600ha presently.

 

Besides Moshi, there is Mbeya, where production of rice at the Kapunga Rice Irrigation Farms Project has increased from 284 tons in the 2005/06 harvesting season to 2,115 tons in 2008/09. That is an increase by a whopping 644.72 per cent. Indicators show that production will increase four-fold to reach 8,500 tons this harvesting season.

 

The success stories of the two rice projects is in keeping with the emphasis placed on irrigation farming in the government’s Kilimo Kwanza (Agriculture First) drive.

But then, there is a paradox in this scenario. Why, while farmers in the Moshi are now lamenting over the lack of a market for their rice, there are times when this country has had to import foodstuff, including rice, to plug shortage facing various areas. 

 

The success of the two projects is a clear indication that the government’s emphasis on irrigation farming is sure to bring about bountiful food production. 

We suggest that in situations such as that obtaining in Moshi, the government should allow – and facilitate – the export of surplus food as requested by the rice farmers.

 

Rice, Tanzania’s most important staple after ugali, is certain to find a ready market in Kenya where it is also a popular food, as well as other East African countries.  This would, in any case, augur well with the spirit of EA Common Market that is meant to allow free movement of goods within the regional bloc, not to mention of increase in Tanzanian farmers’ incomes.