Farmers told to improve quality

Arusha. Small stake farmers have been advised to improve their farming methods to produce quality products which can fetch markets outside the country.

Currently, according to the sales and marketing manager of the Arusha-based Tanganyika Farmers Association(TFA), Mr Justice Shirima, the bulk of the local produce couldnot attract buyers from outside because of poor quality.

He gave the advice over the weekend when he officially opened an agricultural show, targeting smallholders at Kikatiti township in Arumeru District.

He said it was high time for local farmers and livestock keepers to target external markets through value addition of their products so as to increase their income.

The coordinator of the fair who doubles as an official of a non-governmental organization called FERT Mr Laban Boaz, said the event would from now be organised every year in order to sensitise farmers on better production methods.

The three-day show is being held alongside awareness creation for farmers and other players in the agricultural sector on how to secure loans from financial institutions.

“It is obvious that many farmers have been cultivating using old ways and have failed to embrace modern agricultural technologies.Through this fair, we will expose them to modern techniques,” said the chairperson of Meru Agricultural Forum and chair of the organising committee Simon Ayo.

Up up to 12,000 small holder farmers and livestock keepers largely from Meru were expected at the show.