United States African Development Foundation Donates grant amounting to 235million to Home Veg Tanzania.

A local medium company has acquired a grant amounting to 235million Tanzanian  Shillings  from the United States African Development Foundation (USADF).

The Arusha based Home Veg Tanzania Ltd, is the beneficiary of the USADF grant which would be directed into construction of the horticultural produces pack house, facilitate a study on local horticultural market and capacity building for the firm’s administration.

Officials said that 160million out of the total sum, would be spent in building stockroom complete with grading, packing, and cold storage facilities. 

The USADF President and CEO, Ms Shari Berenbach, laid the foundation stone for the construction of storage at Kikwe village in Arumeru, at the weekend.

“We are impressed by the Home veg’s business strategy, I can see a win, win situation for us, entrepreneurs and farmers ” Ms Berenbach explained shortly after having laid a foundation stone.

The Home Veg Tanzania Ltd, Managing Director, Mussa Mvungi said that his company has been building capacity for small holder farmers to be able to produce at the global good agricultural practices (Global-Gap) standards.

Yet another core business, Mr Mvungi said is to export vegetable to the European market.

According to him, the company, which started to deal with 150 farmers in 2009, is currently in contract with about 2,000 farmers who are supplying the firm suuficient vegetable for export. 

“Small holders farmers are our core business because we depend on them to supply the horticultural produces for our European market,” he explained.

Jeremia Thomas, one of Home Veg beneficiary, said that the company has been training them on how to grow the horticultural crops for export, giving them interests free loans and purchasing their crops after harvesting.

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PASTORALISTS WANT NEW LIVESTOCK POLICY FRAME WORK

Pastoralist’s community forum  have appealed to the government to review the current pastoralist policy frame work to protect and improve the livelihoods of indigenous pastoralist in the country. 

They made the call in a pastoralist policy dialogue workshop which is intended to develop a document that will help to address matters affecting the cattle herders across the country

Speaking at the opening of the dialogue ,Joseph Parsambei , a coordinator from Tanzania  community Pastoralist Forum said  the policy  have only focused on production which is just a  single part of pastoralism.

“We have witnessed a lot of predicaments and uncertainties facing traditional livestock keepers in many parts of our Nation because the current policy did not include natural resources management and cultural issues which would have safe guarded pastoralist interests at best “Said Parsambei.

He said traditional pastoralists for many years lacked legal recognition a situation which have lead them into victimization and vulnerable.

He noted that the forum will conduct various dialogues involving the government, the ministry of livestock and other stake holders in to come with a policy that will so as to bring organs in the ministry of livestock and fisheries

Commenting on the matter ,dean of law faculty in  Tumaini Makumira university  based in Arusha ,Elifuraha Laltaika appealed to to domesticate the Africa union pastoralists policy frame work which  was signed by the president of  the United Republic of Tanzania Jakaya Kikiwete  ten years ago.

He said that   the AU pastoralist  policy framework is based on protecting and improving the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoralist communities and ensure the consistency of   privileges in the political, social and economic development of  pastoral communities .

" The Structure of the African  states union  pastoralist policy frame work  is very good and if  domesticated  it will give pastoralists  legal recognition  and  avoid victimization “said Laltaika

In addition  the don said  there is hope at the end of the tunnel after the draft of the new constitution recently availed to Masses   recognized  pastoralists an environment which will  give them a chance to enjoy their rights and  other entitlements as country’s men.

The training was funded by Irish  Aid  through Irish people government Embassy in Tanzania in partnership with   care international based in US. 

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A TOUR FIRM INVEST $49,000 IN POLICE STATION MINJINGU

MINJINGU, villagers have a reason to jubilate, thanks to a tour company for building a modern police station worth $49,000, equivalent to 80m/-.

Tanzanian tour firm -- Kibo Guides (T) Ltd—is the company behind the police station, touted as the most contemporary ever in the entire Manyara region.

The firm’s management says that they have decided to fund the whole project in the spirit of sharing whatever small profits they get, with the community, where they operate.

Manyara Regional Police Commander, Akili Mpwapwa, commended the company for its patriotism attitude, saying the police station would cater for about 10,000 residents of Nkaiti ward in Babati rural district.

“This is a patriotism spirit and we urge other companies to borrow a leaf in complementing the government efforts,” Mr Mpwapwa said over the weekend during the project handing over ceremony.  

For his part, the Kibo Guides Managing Director who is also the Chairman of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Mr Willy Chambullo said he constructed the police station not with intention to detain people, but to secure the community.

“I have built this police station single handedly, not because I have a lot of money, but I have sacrificed with my family because I know change is brought by an individual with a willing heart,” Chambullo said.

Manyara Region Commissioner, Mr. Erasto Mbwillo implored other investors to support the community’s development where they do business.

“It’s very unfortunate that some investors are not walking the talk, they promise to do something for the community, but they do not fulfill. This is against the investment policy which requires investors to share profits with the community” Mbwillo explained.

The Executive officer of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Sirili Akko said that the police station was one of the supports provided by the tour operators.

More recently, TATO members have been in fore front in various social corporate activities, specifically during, and after the deadly bomb attacks in Arusha, where they had successfully managed to raise more than 70 millions collectively for the victims and hospitals supplies.

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WAFUGAJI WATAKA SERA MPYA YA MIFUGO

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