AMDT calls for concerted efforts to improve agriculture

DODOMA: THE Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT) has called for collective efforts among stakeholders to boost agriculture sector and contribute fully to the country’s economic growth.

AMDT said that given the significance of the agricultural sector, there is a need to increase collaborative efforts in various areas, including investing in irrigation farming and the use of quality seeds, to ensure agriculture remains the backbone of the economy.

Speaking to journalist in Dodoma on Wednesday, AMDT Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charles Ogutu said with concerted efforts among stakeholders, the agriculture sector will be able to record higher performance and support the country’s economic development.

Mr Ogutu was speaking after visiting four regions that are implementing the Vision for Adaptive Crops and Soils (VACS) project.

The project being executed by AMDT through its partners, including BELUA Seed Company Limited under USAID support, involves the regions of Arusha, Manyara and Dodoma and Kilimanjaro.

The project‘s main objective is to boost agricultural productivity and nutrition by developing diverse, climate-resilient crop varieties, and building healthy soils.

“The prosperity of agricultural sector needs collective efforts among stakeholders… Irrigation agriculture will help transform the sector,” AMDT boss asserted.

The Monitoring Result Measurement Officer for the AMDT, Mr Delta Shila said despite promoting the use of quality seeds to the farmers, the institute has been encouraging farmers to engage in irrigation farming to address climate change challenges.

“So far, AMDT has successfully drilled a well worth more than 40m/- in Seluka village, located in Mpwapwa District about 100 kilometers from Dodoma Town,” he said.

The well, which extends 136 meters deep, has the capacity to provide 40 litres of water every 18 seconds.

He also noted that AMDT, in collaboration with stakeholders, has already installed solar infrastructure to supply water to the farms.

He added that the investment made in the village is part of the implementation of the VACS project, which focuses on promoting cowpea seeds.

Ms Upendo Makupa, one of the farmers from Seluka Village said that the construction of the well has not only aided irrigation farming but also improved access to drinking water in the village.

She unveiled that before the well was drilled, they had to walk three hours to find water.

“We used to wash our hands only during meals, but after finishing it, we couldn’t wash our hands because water was insufficient,” she added.

Meanwhile, journalists also had the opportunity to visit irrigation group at Mkoka Village, Kongwa District, Dodoma Region, to see the irrigation project’s accomplishments and note a number of new developments, including higher seed output and expanded farms.

Mr Oziniel Benego, who is also a member of the irrigation group, said AMDT through its partner – the Agricultural Development Denmark Asia (ADDA) – has enabled them to adopt drip irrigation systems and increase production.

“Previously, we could farm one to five acres due to water scarcity, but after AMDT drilled another well last year, we are now able to farm 25 acres, producing sunflower seeds. This year, after AMDT drilled another well and installed solar infrastructure, we have farmed 41 acres,” he said.

“Before the training and installation of new water infrastructure, farmers were harvesting 2 to 3 sacks of sunflower seeds, but now we are harvesting 5 to 8 sacks per acre,” he added.