ARUSHA, Tanzania, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania on Thursday unveiled a plan to increase annual rice production from the current 2.2 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030.
Mathew Mtigumwe, Permanent Secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture, revealed the plan during the meeting held in the eastern Tanzania's region of Morogoro to prepare the Second National Rice Development Strategy.
According to him, the ministry will work collaboratively with stakeholders to make sure that rice production will be increased to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030 from the current 2.2 million tonnes.
He said Tanzania is one of the first group countries in the Coalition for African Rice Development and the rice production strategy will be also be realized with support from the coalition.
"We benefit by getting funds from World Bank, African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency to support agriculture development including rice," he said.
Mtigumwe noted that rice is one of the most important staple foods in Tanzania.
"As the consumption of rice has been increasing rapidly year by year, domestic production fails to keep up with this demand."
"As a result, Tanzania is forced to import rice to maintain an adequate supply. Therefore, it can be said that increasing rice production is an important agenda for national food security," the official said.
Joseph Lubiloh, Director for Mechanization and Irrigation Development, said that to achieve the plan, the ministry formed a special task force which will be working closely to ensure that the target is reached.
He said the strategy will focus on increasing competitiveness and improving the post harvest value chain of small holder rice farmers.
