Dodoma. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has advised farmers nationwide to cultivate fast-maturing crops to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Speaking in Parliament February 14, 2025 while concluding the 18th Meeting of the 12th Parliament, Majaliwa emphasized the need for farmers to adopt short-maturity crops, especially in regions expected to experience reduced rainfall.
He also urged citizens to manage their harvests wisely by storing adequate food at the household level. Additionally, he reminded agricultural extension officers to continue educating farmers on suitable crops for their regions and best food storage practices.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, David Silinde, stated that the government is actively working to enhance resilience in the agricultural sector through policies, strategies, and various programs, including Agenda 10/30, the Agricultural Transformation Plan, and the Climate-Resilient Agriculture Guidelines.
He outlined key strategies to support farmers in adapting to climate change, such as investing in irrigation farming, which is more reliable and sustainable than rain-fed agriculture.
He also highlighted efforts to develop irrigation infrastructure on seed production farms managed by the Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) to ensure a stable supply of quality seeds.
Other initiatives include providing subsidized fertilizers and improved seeds, investing in research on climate-resilient seed varieties through the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), and adopting sustainable agricultural techniques and technologies.
These include soil health testing, improved agricultural extension services, and the establishment of smart agricultural technology centers to promote climate-resilient farming practices.