The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has pledged continued support in the agriculture sector in Southern Province in a bid to transform the country economically.
WFP Regional Director Menghestab Haile made the pledge when he addressed farmers engaged in various interventions to improve their livelihoods in Kaumba area in Monze.
Mr. Haile said the WFP will consider assisting farmers with irrigation to enable them to start growing their crops anytime during the year.
‘’What you are doing is what will transform your country and your community, your energy, your commitment i am highly impressed with it. We will continue supporting you as WFP and together with the government we will ensure that you improve your livelihoods,’’ He assured the farmers.
Mr. Haile told farmers that WFP will work closely with government so that together there will be a difference in farmers’ living standards.
And WFP Country Director Cissy Byenkya expressed happiness following the farmers’ adoption of nutrition programmes and marketing that involves local farmers working as aggregators who are providing market to the communities.
Ms. Byenkya stated that the farmers have gained knowledge on how to empower the children, and from aggregators they have transferred business skills to their children.
‘’It is said that Knowledge is power, if you have the knowledge it will not go away from you and we believe that we have sowed the seed that will not disappear from the community,’’ she said.
And Southern Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Namani Moonze said the activities funded by WFP are meant to ensure development to meet the counties aspirations to become a middle income nation by 2030.
Dr. Moonze assured the Regional Director that government will continue collaborating with WFP.
The Permanent Secretary noted that government has shifted resources from central government to lower levels through the Constituency Development Fund to enable women come together through cooperatives and access the resources.
Dr. Moonze said the women and other farmers will continue venturing in diverse agriculture interventions for them to accrue profit.
And one of the beneficiary farmers Emelder Hachoombolwa said from the diverse agricultural Interventions funded by WFP she has managed to construct a better house.
Ms. Hichoombolwa named the diverse interventions farmers are engaged in as Conservation Agriculture, Weather Index Insurance, Savings for Change, Credit, Post Harvest Management, Marketing, Nutrition and Climate Services.
The interventions are funded by the WFP while the Implementing partners are the Development Aid from People to People.
The ministry of Agriculture is also assisting in the implementation of the activities in the province.
