About Mbeya The Economy Agriculture & Livestock
| Agriculture and Livestock - (Mbeya) |
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| Written by Administrator | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday, 11 May 2010 11:57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Existing Situation and Investment Opportunities AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK: The Situation Agriculture dominates the livelihood and economic performance of Mbeya Region. The sector contributes about 40 percent to the regional economy and employs about 80 percent of the working population in the Region. Agriculture is dominantly peasantry farming and a small number of commercial scales farming of tea in Rungwe, coffee in Mbozi and rice in Mbarali Districts. Some Crops Cultivated in Mbeya Region  Mbeya is one of the “Big Four” Regions in terms of surplus food production mainly maize and rice which is sold to other regions and exported to the neighbouring countries. The arable land has high potential in the production of paddy, coffee, tea, pyrethrum, cocoa, pineapples, tobacco, bananas, tomatoes, onions, Irish potatoes, wheat, sunflower, groundnuts, millet, beans, sorghum, cassava, vegetables and non-traditional agricultural crops such as fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbal plants. THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF AGRICULTURE PRACTISED IN MBEYA REGION: (i) Rain fed Crop Agriculture: Traditionally, the farmers in Mbeya Region have been dependent on rain for their agricultural activities. However production has started falling hence there is a need to take measures such as increased use of fertilizers, irrigation and mechanization so as to arrest the situation. (ii) Irrigation Agriculture: Mbeya region is estimated to have 90,190 hectares suitable for irrigation. Out of that, 36,449 hectares are undeveloped, 25,456 hectares are developed schemes and 27,965 hectares are under traditionally irrigated schemes. Rice is the pre dominant crop grown through irrigation. Water for irrigation is taped from various perennial rivers by gravity. LIVESTOCK KEEPING: Livestock keeping is the second most predominant economic activity in the region. The sector plays a significant role in the rural economy of Mbeya region and has great potential for increased production. The region has favourable climatic conditions for livestock keeping, particularly, cattle, goats and sheep. Dairy cattle’s rearing is highly practised in Rungwe District with 30.46 percent of the total cattle population in the region. Other livestock kept include pigs, chicken, ducks and pigeons. There was one government ranch in Usangu, Mbarali District which has recently being privatised. The government intention is to maintain its use, increase productivity and attract fresh capital into the ranch. DISTRIBUTION OF LIVESTOCK BY TYPE AND DISTRICT:
Source: Mbeya Regional Secretariat 2008 KEY 1. Goats 2. Diary Cattle 3. Sheep 4. Poultry Common Livestock in Mbeya Region INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK (i) Traditional crops:
Source: Mbeya Regional Secretariat 2008 (ii) Non-traditional crops:
Source: Mbeya Regional Secretariat 2008 (iii) Agro based processing and marketing infrastructure: a) Processing of coffee, tea, cocoa, cashew-nuts, cereal, fruits and vegetables. b) Extracting of oil seeds. c) Production and Supply of packaging materials, agricultural inputs, d) Production and supply of packaging equipment and materials e) Application of e-commerce and greater use of the Internet f) Installation of roasting and packing facilities in partnership with the local entrepreneurs g) Supply of production inputs |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 July 2010 10:56 ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About Mbeya Region
Mbeya Region has one of the fast growing economies in Tanzania. It has plenty of opportunities for investment ranging from agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transport, tourism, social services, infrastructure just to mention but a few.
Best Investment Environment
The region has committed leadership to drive the process to achieve the goal of making the region the best investment destination in the country.