Tanzania: Kisarawe embarks on programme to take Coast Region back to `white gold` period

Kisarawe District in Coast Region has embarked on re-introducing cotton growing for cash in ten villages in an effort to eradicate poverty among the crop growers in the area. The District Commissioner, Khanifa Karamagi, said this on Friday here that the villagers would voluntarily start farming the cash crop in pilot projects in ten villages.

They include Kidugalo, Kurui, Gwata, Zegero, Vilabwa, Mitengwe, Mtakayo, Chakenge,Vihingo and Chamalale whereby they would be required to prepare their farms before the beginning of March and start planting at mid of the month.

``We have been assured by the agricultural officers that the climate prevailing in the villages can support the growing of the crop. We, leaders have gone through the area to mobilise the villagers. Those who wish to plant the crop will be supplied with seeds they had been paid 250/- for every kg of cotton they sell. We have given one tonne cotton seeds by the cash crop body to sell to the growers of the crop in the villages,`` she said.

She said that the villagers had been mobilised to grow the crop following President`s Jakaya Kikwete visit to the district in 2007 who advised that the crop should be re-introduced in the region.

She said that her district would join other districts in the region, including Bagamoyo and Rufiji, in the project and also would join others in other regions, including Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Morogoro and Iringa in the Eastern zone in expanding cotton production.

Karamagi said the board had promised to supply farm inputs by credit including chemicals and blowers to the growers, adding that it had further assured that the farmers would get reliable buyers of their crop harvests.

The Coast Region used to produce the best cotton in the world--then known as the white gold.

Cashew nuts is the leading cash crop in the district, however, the growers face financial difficulties from time to time after because they have no reliable market for their produce.


Source: ippmedia.com

Publication date: 2/4/2009