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Dodoma food crop diversification initiatives underway
2008-05-17 09:11:03
By Felix Andrew
Authorities in Dodoma region are encouraging farmers in the area to grow an enlarged range of food crops to ensure their own food and income security.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner William Lukuvi said last week the strategy was important, urging that the region should at least grow five cash crops most preferably groundnuts, sunflower, simsim, peas and grapes because the area`s weather supports their growth.
His speech was read by Dodoma District Commissioner, John Tupa on his behalf, which also mentioned the region`s efforts to launch cashew nut farming project.
The speech was part of activities carried out during the launch of `top sunflower brand` which was organised by sunflower processors in Dodoma and Singida regions.
It is new brand being promoted by Medium Sunflower Oil Processing Industry in collaboration with a Dodoma based Rural Livelihood Development Company (RLDC).
He said sunflower crop has already secured a reliable market because many people have now realised that its oil content has no cholesterol and therefore much safer for human consumption.
Last year the price of a bag of sunflower reach 35,000/-, up from 17,000/- recorded 2006, indicating prevalence of strong demand for the crop which now commands 20 percent of the edible oil market share.
Lukuvi congratulated sunflower oil processors supported by RLDC for their efforts to improve production and processing.
He reminded processors about their obligation to make sure that farmers are protected and the market for sunflower is available at a price which would benefit more farmers than buyers.
Speaking about the Top Sunflower oil brand, he believes it would provide Dodoma and Singida regions with sufficient goodwill to become global suppliers of quality sunflower oil.
For Dodoma region, this becomes the next brand after grape products.
In this world of competition, he said, branding was important aspect in business as it lends particular customer appeal, which basically takes into account so many aspects related to quality and standards.
He congratulated RLDC in its efforts in the fight against rural poverty in central zone through crop production and marketing support.
Speaking on behalf of processors, the chairman of Central Zone Oil Processors Association (CEZOSOPA), Rashid Ali Mamu, appealed to government to provide farmers with low interest loans in order to improve their welfare.
He claimed this year the number of sunflower farmers has increased and farmers have increased production but still they face various problems including lack of farming inputs like tractors, fertilisers and loans for developing the crop.
Some of the companies which have agreed to use the brand are Mandika enterprises, Mnadani Sunflower Oil mill, Right Investment, Beula Investment and Mnyemo Investment.
For his part, the RLDC chairman Dr. Ralph Engellman, said they have invested over 5bn/- for the improvement of farmers’ welfare through grants in developing cash crops in Central Zone, 20 percent of the cash was exclusively directed to sunflower.
RLDC also supports cotton, sugarcane, milk and skin and hides production, whereas RLDC through its partners provide grants which are used for buying seeds, training and construction of produce collection centers.
Up to moment, RLDC has supported 26 projects which benefited more than 25, 000 households in Dodoma, Singida, Shinyanga and Morogoro region.
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