Horticulture uplift lined up as WFP office opens

Anthony Chamanga, the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) chief development manager said here at the weekend that the return of the WFP office to the heart of the horticultural industry is an opportunity for reinforced dynamism for the industry.

TAHA in collaboration with WFP have a youth support programme in Arusha and Manyara regions to elevate participation in horticultural value chain, referring to a commercial agriculture, agribusiness push where youths learn good farming practices and seek out market opportunities, he said.

 Irrigation outlays and market support channels will be put in place as the project focuses on horticultural crops like tomatoes, onions, garlic and pepper.

While in Arusha, WFP will be conducting other initiatives to improve agro-sector resilience, directed at Arusha and surrounding regions he said, noting that WFP will seek solutions for improving the quality of soils, biodiversity, landscape and forests.

Farmers and pastoral communities are targeted to make more effective adaptations to climate change, he said, citing a spate of shocks and stress in the two neighbouring regions. WFP will be looking at disaster risk management by encouraging climate-smart practice, he specified.

Such skills will enable the general public to understand, analyse and anticipate shocks, providing relevant framework for cash distribution and long-term climate change adaptation, he elaborated/

Col. Wilson Sakullo, the Ngorongoro district commissioner, officiated at the opening, affirming that opening the WFP office was timely, uplifting chances for thousands of farmers and pastoralists.

He said the region has for many years been struggling with the effects of climate change like regular dry spells inhibiting agriculture and livestock keeping. 

 “Drought has also been taking its toll on wildlife,” he said, citing visible effects in Monduli among districts, facing shortages of food, with rampant malnutrition among children.

After WFP halted its school feeding programme in pastoralist communities in the region in 2014, school performance declined, the DC noted, appealing to WFP to consider restoring the programme.

Sarah Gordon-Gibson, the WFP country director, said that combined and accelerated efforts of the government, development partners, innovators and the WFP were crucial in realising Agenda 2030 for sustainable development goals and the government’s forthcoming Vision 2025.

“None of us can do it alone,” she emphasized, highlighting the need for investing in youth and women in particular as the country has one of the youngest populations globally.

The young people and women should be empowered and equipped with knowledge, skills and tools to help them meet market demands.

Once empowered, youth and women would become productive members of the society, significantly contributing to the country’s economy, food security and nutrition in enhancing resilience of entire families and communities, she added.