Construction of Membe Dam project in Tanzania on track

Works on the Membe Dam project in Tanzania is progressing well. Country’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Anthony Mavunde expressed satisfaction during an inspection at the site.

The dam project located in Chamwino District, Dodoma Region, aims to boost agricultural sector in the country. It is part of the government 2022/2023 financial year plans which includes construction of 14 dams across the country, with a total capacity to store 12 billion litres of water.

Upon completion, the dam’s major task will be for irrigation. Infrastructure will also be installed to support the watering of livestock and to supply water to the surrounding villages.

“This dam will enable citizens to make farming and grazing activities easier, thus transforming their economic and social lives. The government led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan has increased the budget for the Ministry of Agriculture, where a big chunk has been channeled towards irrigation project. The objective is to ensure we have motorized spray pumps and solar-powered water pumps while the beef farmers benefitted from a grass planter chisel plough and grass mower, for tomato farmers. Beef and dairy farmers received a 1,000 litres/hour homogenizer and a 1,000 liters/hour pasteurizer which form part of their mini dairy. reliable sources of water and enable farmers to conduct their farming activities throughout a year,” Mr Mavunde said.

Kajiado, Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho noted that the innovative equipment is a great relief and will support the food security agenda even in the midst of climate change.

“Courtesy of this programme, we will have mini dairies that will support our women. For the past few years, the Kajiado County economy has been receiving about Sh100 million every month from the dairy sector. Through this we are going to improve production and value addition of the milk. Thanks to ASDSP famers will also add value to their tomatoes and sell them at better prices,” said Moshisho.

Budget allocation for the agricultural sector has increased to a whopping 954bn/- for the financial year 2022/2023 up from 294bn/- which was allocated during the previous fiscal year. Budget allocation for irrigation has been increased from 57bn/- in the financial year 2021/2022 to 416bn/in the current fiscal year.

“Many irrigation projects have had great challenges and are causing us (the Ministry of Agriculture) problems because they have not observed standards, so I am asking whoever is responsible for this project to ensure that quality becomes a priority,” Mavunde emphasised.