Morogoro Regional Commissioner Dr. Rajabu Rutengwa warns government officials who embrace land conflicts without taking appropriate measures to curb the situation and thus allowing the problems to persist.
Morogoro Regional Commissioner give out speech to MVIWATA Members and guests
He addressed the matter during MVIWATA 20th Annual General Meeting held at Jordan University College in Morogoro region, attended by 210 organization members from Tanzania mainland and island together with invited guests from partner organizations totaling to 350 participants.
Speaking recently with MVIWATA farmers in Morogoro, Dk Rutengwa pointed out that the problem of land conflict between pastoralists and famers has become the obstacle to the development of the two sides and the blame being thrown to the government officials who were expected to resolve the conflict.
“We have received many complains which involve government officials turning out to be custodians for the land conflicts in the country driven by selfish reasons and contrary to government will. The government cannot tolerate such misconduct and so is organized to deal with the perpetrators”, noted Dr. Rutengwa.
He consequently advised farmers and pastoralists to be alert with bad government officials who provoke their misunderstanding and to further report to respective authorities upon noticing depriving of their rights.
Apart from that, Dr. Rutengwa also pointed out that accessibility of quality seeds for cereals and better markets for farm produce are among major challenges in the country facing small scale farmers.
MVIWATA members and invited guests pose for a group picture with Morogoro RC
On that he said, the Government is organized to partner with private sectors to facilitate the access of markets for agricultural produce by; building enabling infrastructure for markets and storage facilities with focus in rural areas. Parallel to that, the government is organized to provide small scale farmers with agricultural education and remove operational barriers for warehouse receipts.
He added that, the government is organized to establish market for products in accordance to the law of the market products (Common Exchange Act) No. 15 of 2015, and to strategically construct markets in national boundaries in order to render farmers with an opportunity to sell their products out of the country.
Concerning seed issues Dr. Rutengwa said, “It is now the high time to discover and evaluate the quality of seeds for varieties of agricultural produces which can yield high quantity, resist climate change and ensure provision of high nutritional value”. Similarly, to produce seeds for different crops in partnership with public and private institutions to meet the needs of seed production in the country.
He added that, there is a need to put more emphasis in conducting research on diseases and pests affecting agricultural produce such as banana, cassava, coconut, paddy, maize, vegetable and fruits in order to increase quality and quality of production in the country.
Alfred Michael a paddy farmer from in Morogoro said agriculture sector is being controlled by politicians, something that holds back the development of sectors.
According to him the current land conflict that exists between farmers and pastoralists is caused also by business men who collaborate with politician in order to get land for business.
“The main reason for slow growth of agricultural sector in the country is political autonomy in decision making on agricultural technical matters. We need an independent body that will be authorized by the government to resolve our problems,” Michael said.
On her part MVIWATA Chairperson Mrs. Veronica Sophu asked the government to recognize small scale farmers as an important engine to National GDP as well as the center for production considering 95% of food consumed within the country is being cultivated by small scale farmers.
