Tanzania: Tobacco Thrives in Serengeti

Source from:  Daily News  05/17/2013

FARMERS in Serengeti District in Mara Region have generated more than 8bnl/- after selling 2,520 tonnes of tobacco this season.　

The Serengeti District Council Executive Director (DED), Ms Goody Pamba, made the revelation during a full council meeting on Wednesday. "Tobacco has earned Serengeti farmers 8.42bn/-from the 2,520.13 tonnes sold this season," Ms Goody told the Serengeti District Council full meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Serengeti District Council Chairman, John Ng'oina. The district council, she said is keen on ensuring that tobacco farming does not have any negative impact on food security and environmental conservation in the wildlife rich district.

It is estimated that over 70 per cent of Serengeti District consists game protected areas including the world heritage site of Serengeti National Park SENAPA)

"Farmers are being advised to adhere to good agriculture practices and the issue of food security and environmental conservation is given top priority," Ms Goody told the packed meeting that apart from councillors was attended by government experts based in the area.

Hundreds of farmers in various parts of Serengeti and the neighbouring Tarime District have embarked on tobacco cultivation in the recent years. According to highly placed government sources proposal on commercial production of tobacco in Mara Region has been given green light this year.

Meanwhile, some Serengeti farmers have started cultivating sunflower and efforts to scale up production of the crop in the area are in progress. DED Goody told the meeting that sunflower stands a better chance to lead Serengeti farmers into prosperous life if pursued with seriousness. Enditem