By staff writer. Morogoro. The Vice President Dr Mohammend Gharib Bilal has commended Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) for promoting unity among smallholder farmers and producers countrywide.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th anniversary of the (MVIWATA ) in Morogoro recently , Mr Bilal praised the group for organising such ceremony as it was also a day to celebrate its landmark achievement since its establishment.
“Today is a special day for MVIWATA and you have every reason to celebrate. Organising a series of events like this, shows how well you are positioned to unify and defend small holder farmers’ rights in the country,” he said.
He said, the government was aware that for the past two decades, MVIWATA has done so many notable activities including trainings entailing to empower farmers economically particularly through rural markets, SACCOS and other entrepreneurial skills.
“By doing so, it is obvious that you are participating fully and adding to government endeavours to eradicate poverty in the country…..Agriculture remains to be a large sector by employing many Tanzanians despite the fact that it was still crammed full with numerous challenges,” he said.
MVIWATA is a national farmers organisation, which brings together small holder farmers from all regions of Tanzania in order to have a common voice to defend economic, social ,cultural and political interests of smallholder farmers.
Founded in 1993, MVIWATA aspires to empower stallholder economically and socially farmers through capacity building and undertake lobbying and advocacy especially by strengthening their groups and networks, facilitating communication and learning so that they are capable of defending their interests.
in the last 20 years, MVIWATA has grown from 22 members at the beginning to more than 150,000 members from all regions of Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
MVIWATA was started by farmers to unite farmers and be their voice in defending their rights and interests economically. socially, politically and culturally. He said despite the fact that the agricultural sector still faces many challenges, the government has always supported farmers and still committed to the development of the agricultural sector.
“The government has set aside Ruvuma, Rukwa, Katavi, and Morogoro as model areas for agriculture. There are still challenges like infrustructure in some areas but the government is working hard to make sure famers get markets and are able to improve their livelihoods,” said the Vice president.
A four-day ceremony drew about 2000 participants, mainly representatives of the government, partners, development organisations and members.
