The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock has emphasized the importance of investing in irrigation projects to ensure Tanzania's food security and boost agricultural production. Committee chairperson Deodatus Mwanyika stated that food security is the foundation of national security, and citizens should support efforts to maintain and improve irrigation infrastructure. Tanzania's food security has enabled the country to become a reliable supplier of food to some countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Mwanyika, who is also Njombe Urban MP, highlighted Tanzania's achievement in high food production for both domestic consumption and export. He attributed this success to continued investment in irrigation, which would further strengthen the country's capacity to produce enough food. The committee was inspecting irrigation projects implemented by the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC) to assess their progress and impact.
During the inspection, Mwanyika urged citizens to take ownership of government-funded irrigation projects and participate in their maintenance, including paying irrigation service charges as required by law. He emphasized that it was essential for citizens to recognize that these projects belonged to them and that their maintenance was a collective responsibility. This approach would ensure the projects remained sustainable and beneficial to the community.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo expressed gratitude to the committee for their inspection visit, stating that the ministry and commission officials were open to guidance and recommendations to improve project implementation. He noted that significant investment in irrigation aimed to promote productive agriculture, improve farmers' livelihoods, and increase food production to meet domestic and regional needs.
NIRC Director General Raymond Mndolwa stated that the commission would continue working with local communities to implement projects and provide education to minimize challenges. The commission collaborated with regional and district authorities to assess projects from their early stages, reducing conflicts and improving implementation. Mndolwa valued the committee's visit, which provided an opportunity for the commission to receive direct advice on project performance and productivity.
The committee's visit and recommendations are expected to enhance the implementation of irrigation projects in Tanzania. The country's investment in irrigation infrastructure has already shown positive results, with 3,500 hectares of farms in Mpanda benefiting from a 33.9 billion/- investment. Continued investment and maintenance of irrigation projects are crucial to sustaining and expanding Tanzania's agricultural production and food security.
Effective maintenance and management of irrigation projects will require collaboration between the government, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock will play a vital role in overseeing the implementation of irrigation projects and ensuring that they align with the country's food security and agricultural development goals.
Key points
- Investment in irrigation projects is critical to strengthening Tanzania's food security and increasing agricultural production.
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock has emphasized the importance of citizen participation in maintaining and improving irrigation infrastructure.
- Tanzania's food security has enabled the country to become a reliable supplier of food to some countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
