Makambako — RESIDENTS of Makambako Township especially the youth have been challenged to engage in agriculture activities for sustainable development.
The challenge has been thrown by the Director General of Rufiji Basin Development Authority (RUBADA), Mr Aloyce Masanja, when visiting youths dealing with horticulture in Mlowa Valley in Makambako Township in Njombe Region on Monday.
"Youths in this place have a potential to be role models to others in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT). They deserve support," he said.
Makambako is among areas under SAGCOT. He said that Mlowa Valley is among a few locations in that region that can be used in horticulture especially for cultivation of avocados and tomatoes; a venture that can enrich Makambako youths. "This is a huge opportunity for you.
Use it for your benefit," he told the youths, adding that Rubada was ready to help them. He also told the youths and other people that they should consider using Songwe Airport in transporting their produce. The move, he said, would help them excel in business.
"Songwe Airport is there to serve you. You should emulate your colleagues in Arusha who use KIA (Kilimanjaro International Airport) in transporting their products," he said. He was of the view that the centrality of Makambako makes the township an ideal location for a maize market and that the residents should consider that an opportunity that they should seize.
"Makambako Township is located within maize producing regions. Leaders should take note of this and use this ideal geography for the benefit of their people," he said.
On his part, an agriculture official at Makambako, Mr Michael Mlyuka, said that they are making sure that irrigation sources are protected so that they are used for agriculture development.
"We are making sure that Mlowa Valley horticulture production increase," he said. "He explained that they have already trained several youths on modern horticulture practices," he said.
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