Farming problems
The attention will be on how the government is planning to address the looming hunger as the minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Professor Jumanne Maghembe, tables his budget when Parliament resumes today.
The government recently banned the export of food for six months in response to famine that has hit 42 districts in 16 regions.
The districts are Karatu, Monduli, Ngorongoro, Longido, Arusha Urban and Arusha Rural in Arusha Region; Temeke, Ilala and Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam Region; Dodoma in Dodoma Region; Iringa Urban and Iringa Rural in Iringa Region, and Muleba and Chato in Kagera Region.
The government recently banned the export of food for six months in response to famine that has hit 42 districts in 16 regions. The districts are Karatu, Monduli, Ngorongoro, Longido, Arusha Urban and Arusha Rural in Arusha Region; Temeke, Ilala and Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam Region; Dodoma in Dodoma Region; Iringa Urban and Iringa Rural in Iringa Region, and Muleba and Chato in Kagera Region.
But Maghembe will be expected to come out with other measures that the government plans to pursue to address the problem which was mainly caused by famine in most parts of the country.
He will also be expected to explain what the government is doing to help cotton and tobacco growers bear with the sharp fall of the commodity price in the world market.
Various legislators have urged the government to compensate the farmers. Dr Hamisi Kigwangalla attempt last week to table a private motion under an emergency certificate was turned down by Parliament chairman George Simbachawene. He wanted Parliament to force the government to compensate the farmers.
Other ministries which will be tabling their budget estimates in Parliament this week include Livestock and Fisheries Development and Home Affairs. Ministries that have tabled their budget estimates include the Vice-President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s Office, Health and Social Welfare, Education and Vocational Training and Community Development, Women and Gender.
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda was forced to withdraw budget estimates for the ministry of Energy and Minerals following allegations of fraud and corruption by top officials of the ministry, including its permanent secretary David Jairo. Mr Jairo was forced to step down last week after public outcry.
istry to contribute Sh50million each for facilitating smooth approval of the ministry’s budget by MPs.
The chief secretary, Mr Philemon Luhanjo, last week sent Mr Jairo on forced lead pending investigations to be led by the Controller and Auditor General.
Source: newsroom - farmingnewsdaily.co.uk