Former Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania Hon. Mizengo Peter Pinda, has commended the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM) for its efforts in promoting Organic Agriculture, saying it is high time the government considers the issue of organic
agriculture more seriously.
Hon. Pinda made the remarks recently in Zuzu suburb of Dodoma, when TOAM Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jordan Gama, paid acourtesy call on him to familiarize himself with the former premier’s farming activities following his recent announcement to the general public that he grows everything in an organic system.
“I thank you Mr. Gama for visiting my farm here at Zuzu. I have my residence here, as I am trying to the best of my knowledge to practice organic agriculture too. I am doing this because I need to harvest, and more importantly, eat safe food while protecting the environment and biodiversity,” stated Hon. Pinda.
According to him, he opted to grow crops in an organic system from the very beginning and he enjoys a lot practicing it. Livestock keeping is an added activity that provides him with animal manure for his farm.
Previously, Hon. Pinda used to get animal manure from his neighbours for free, but now they charge him 35,000 Shillings per seven tonnes of the organic fertilizer.
He pointed out that the use of animal manure doubles productivity but also enhances crops to be drought resistant as they saturate soil and coin moisture.
The ex-premier called upon all civil servants within and across the world to build an attitude of investing in agriculture because farming has a tendency of shielding anybody who wants to live a decent life after retirement.
On his part, the TOAM CEO, Mr. Gama told Hon. Pinda that he was very much
motivated to visit the farm after seeing his efforts, specifically by trying to farm through organic systems, as publicized in the local media.
“You have been a good example to retired servants. We will work with you in promoting this kind of agriculture so that the general public adapt organic agriculture system in their daily lives. It is my hope that this visit opens the new era in an effort to sustain and develop organic agriculture in Tanzania,” said Gama.
“We have witnessed that this area is dreadfully dry, some of the crops despite being irrigated might not have performed to their best. Please, allow us to introduce some plants that may contribute to soil
fertility in order for the crops to grow on form. We see that this farm is very essential
for training farmers of all cadres,” said the TOAM chief.
Mr. Gama pointed out that lately there has been a turn-around from conventional to organic agriculture in several parts of the world, but most interestingly is the restrictions of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) by the Germany government which, throws its weight
behind conservation initiatives that backs organic agriculture.
Remarking on GMO, Hon. Pinda said while he was in the government, they allowed GMOs research in order to be satisfied on safety and the importance of the said technology. This was so because there have been mixed feelings all over the world about organic farming before it was adopted.
