He said this while opening the Annual Meeting of Members of MVIWATA – Dodoma Region held on December 8, 2020.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Hon, Gerald Kusaya said the Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) is an important national and unique platform in solving the challenges of smallholder farmers, especially access to quality and sustainable inputs, markets and friendly financial services such as Village Community Banks and Savings and Credits Co-operative Society (SACCOS and VICOBA) for its members and smallholder farmers in general, especially those in rural areas.
Giving his introductory remarks and greetings from MVIWATA Headquarters on behalf of the Executive Director of MVIWATA, Policy Officer, Advocacy and Communications Mr, Michael Neligwa congratulated the members of MVIWATA Dodoma region for their good organization, developing and strengthening their unity and solidarity within MVIWATA. He also noted that the Executive Dorector, Mr, Stephen Ruvuga, was willing to participate with them as he had been participating in all the previous meetings but had failed due to other responsibilities.
Michael added by thanking the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture for honouring the MVIWATA institution by responding to the invitation to participate in the Annual Meeting for MVIWATA members in Dodoma Region. In addition Mr Michael outlined the purpose of Annual Meetings at the regional level that have already taken place. On behalf of the Executive Director of MVIWATA he requested and invited the Secretary General to participate in the 25th MVIWATA General Assembly to be held on December 17, 2020, at the Highland Hall in Bigwa, Morogoro Municpal.
Speaking at the opening of the Meeting, Kusaya thanked for the invitation to participate in the 25th MVIWATA General Assembly and promised to make sure he participates fully so that he can convey his message and talk to smallholder farmers from all regions of mainland Tanzania and the islands, opportunities and platform available only through MVIWATA.
He added that he was not happy to hear complaints from smallholder farmers about the lack of fertilizers and quality seeds or to hear that inputs were being sold at exorbitant prices by the input agents. He urged smallholder farmers to join MVIWATA and use MVIWATA networks at all levels in collaboration with government authorities, especially the Ministry of Agriculture, to import such inputs directly from government agencies where the cost is lower compared to private traders.
“I know MVIWATA for many years, use your union and networks to import fertilizer in a joint system through the fertilizer agency (TFRA) where you will buy cheaply and distribute to your members in rural areas. The ministry exists and will closely monitor to bring relief to farmers”, said Kusaya.
Kusaya added that MVIWATA which is a National Network that brings together smallholder farmers is also responsible for finding the best low-cost seeds for maize, sunflower, rice and other crops by submitting their requirements to the Government Seed Agency (ASA).
Initially in welcoming the Guest of Honor, MVIWATA Dodoma Regional Chairman Mr, Said Matonya requested the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to support the availability of seeds for food crops and trade before the end of the season and the seeds should be sold at low cost.
The MVIWATA – Dodoma Annual Meeting was attended by one hundred (100) MVIWATA members from all Districts of Dodoma Region who explained the various challenges they face in production including expensive agricultural inputs and untimely availability, poor extension services, government’s attempt of promoting some crops without setting viable marketing strategies for such crops, as well as the existence of many and difficult conditions for smallholder farmers to get loans to finance their production activities.
Responding to these arguments Kusaya said the Fifth Phase government under President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli values farmers which is why various measures including the Seed Agency (ASA) and the Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) have been directed to deliver their services to rural areas at government guide prices.
“My presence here today is proof that the government values and cares for smallholder farmers in the country. I am again instructing the Seed Agency in the country (ASA) to ensure that the best maize seeds reach Dodoma and all other regions and are sold not exceeding 6,000 shillings per two kilogram bag” ordered Kusaya.
Likewise, Kusaya called on MVIWATA to use the presence of 14 government agricultural training colleges (MATI) and 4 farmers’ training centers in the country to send farmers and youth to learn better agricultural techniques to increase productivity in agricultural activities.
He mentioned the Bihawana smallholder farmers’ center in Dodoma as an important place where MVIWATA members in Dodoma region can use it to gain various training and knowledge to increase productivity and skills to run agriculture activities in a more productive manner.
Kusaya advised and stressed smallholder farmers in the country through MVIWATA to use the presence of the Input Fund (AGITF) administered by the Ministry of Agriculture as it will enable access to better agricultural tools such as tractors, power tillers, and inputs at low interest rates.
“The input fund is special for lending to farmers and its interest rates are affordable as the group is lent at 6% interest and a private farmer is lent at 7 percent and makes repayments for 72 months” stressed Kusaya.
The Annual Meeting for Members of MVIWATA – Dodoma is part of the important annual forums in accordance with the MVIWATA Constitution held at all MVIWATA branches at the regional level to discuss the development and prosperity of MVIWATA as well as electing MVIWATA leaders in accordance with MVIWATA guidelines. At the meeting, MVIWATA members in Dodoma region had the opportunity to elect a Regional level Steering Committee that will lead for the next three (3) years.
To date 19 MVIWATA Regional Branches have held Annual Meetings which brought together a total of more than 3,300 participants representing their fellow Members in Ward, Division and District Networks.
