President Samia To Launch Installation Project For Center Pivot Irrigation At ASA’s Kilimi Seeds Real Estate In Tabora Region -

By Valentine Oforo

PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to inaugurate
the project for the installation of the modern irrigation scheme ( Center Pivot
Irrigation Machines -CPIM), at the Agricultural Seeds Agency (ASA) farm in Nzega district of Tabora Region.

The envisaged event has been scheduled to take place on
October 17 at the ASA’s Kilimi Seeds farm based in Nzega District in Tabora
Region.

Center-pivot irrigation (sometimes called central pivot
irrigation), also called water-wheel and circle irrigation, is a method of crop
irrigation in which equipment rotates around a pivot and crops are watered with
sprinklers.

Briefing Semamedia over the development, ASA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Sophia
Kashenge informed that the 6.3bn/- worth project at the vast farm in Nzega
district has already seen at least 220 hectares installed with the high-tech
Irrigation facilities, being it first
phase.

According to her, the second phase will involve a total of
180 hectares, bringing up to a total of 400 hectares available at the farm.

“Preparations for the launching of the project
continues at impressive and professional manner, and we are very thankful for
the way President Samia has always been there to ensure the Agency run its
activities at deserved standards and speed in order to heighten the country’s
seed production sector, ” she expressed.

Working in sync with the Ministry of agriculture, Dr. Kashenge unveiled that the state-owned
seed Agency was also implementing the similar helpful project at it numerous
seed farms across the country.

“At the Arusha’s Ngaramtoni seed farm the project is
currently at 50 percent, the ongoing project works to install a total of 200 hactares, as well as
at the Morogoro-based Msimba farm located in Kilosa districts, ” she
briefed.

Dr Kashenge observed that the ongoing projects will cover a total of
800 hectares at the three seed farms, to gobble up to 18bn/- upon
completion.

Soon after President Samia to launch the modern irrigation
technology at the Kilimi farm, she said the facility will soon start to
operate.

“Completion of these projects will play meaningful role
to help increase seeds production sector as the Agency will stand a chance to
produce seeds varieties for diverse crops throughout the year,” she
informed.

She briefed that, demand for seed supply in the 2023/24 season stands at approximately
124,000 tons, whereby the availability is only 44,000 tons.

“Literally, the trend communicating a clear message
over the need for increased production, as well as efforts to strengthen
working ties with the private sector in order to scale up the scope in the
production of quality seeds,” Dr Kashenge said.

According to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, David
Silinde, expressed the government’s main objectives is to ensure the country is making potential development
in the production of key seeds for numerous crops.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan is working hard, and
very determined to assure the country produces enough improved seeds, to quench
the thirst of home demand, but also standing a possible side to start exporting
to other countries,” the Minister informed.

He spoke over the need for the stakeholders in the private
sector to chip in and cooperate with ASA to heighten the extent and quality of
seed production in the country.