ICT missing link in agriculture, says Lowassa
 
2005-05-20 08:16:10
By Rachel Mkundai

	The Minister of Water and Livestock Development, Edward Lowassa.

Lack of or poor Information Communication Technology (ICT) and disorganised marketing systems have limited the growth of agricultural sector, the Minister of Water and Livestock Development, Edward Lowassa, said yesterday.

Opening a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on agricultural financing organised by Tanzania Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (TCAL) in Bagamoyo, Lowassa said there was a need for both national and international alliances for exchange programme to address common interests in a globalised world.

'We need to strengthen our communication technology and improve marketing information system that would reduce the knowledge gap between producers, professionals, traders and consumers.

I challenge TCAL to assist its members during trading processes,' he said.

The government was working out on a mechanism that would offer agricultural producers long-term credits at affordable and competitive interest rates, he said.

He assured stakeholders the government was serious in the desire to address the constraints hampering agriculture and livestock development.

• SOURCE: Guardian