Trade and Marketing deputy minister Lazaro Nyalandu.

As a way of improving the economic well-being of its members, Amawisi SACCOS in Singida has loaned some of its members 12 tractors worth 202m/-.

The tractors were handed over to the members yesterday at a function held in Mtinko division by Trade and Marketing deputy minister Lazaro Nyalandu.

Speaking at the function, Amawisi Saccos chairman Elinywesia Sima disclosed that four of the tractors had already been loaned to farmers, adding that his association had ordered 16 tractors from the Morogoro-based company Demaco, but unfortunately they were supplied with only 12 tractors, each costing 38.5m/-

He said the main reason for the project is to eradicate poverty among its members.

“We asked for 16 tractors but unfortunately we only got 12. As of now the first nine tractors are with us here and the remaining three will be delivered soon,” he said.

For his part, Nyalandu hailed the association for improving agriculture in the area and the county as a whole.

The deputy minister urged all Tanzanians to join Saccos so they could access loans.

Nyalandu, who is also member of parliament for Singida North asked Singida municipal council to construct more markets area so that farmers can sell their produce easily.

Amawisi is a non-governmental organization which was registered in August last year. Currently it has 384 members, each member of the association has two to three hectares which they use to grow both food and cash crops.