India would offer 150 scholarships to Tanzanian farmers to gain experience from Indian counterparts under a bilateral agreement, the Indian High Commissioner said.
K.V.Bhagirath said this was a way to help Tanzanian farmers to learn the Indian agricultural transformation model in addition to being supported in other aspects such as availing implements like pipes for irrigation, tillers, and tractors.
The high commissioner announced the support in Dar es salaam over the weekend, shortly after inaugurating a Business Meeting & Drug Regulator session as part of an "8-member delegation of an Indian Pharmaceutical Company Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL).
He said the offer was aimed at supporting Tanzania in the implementation of Kilimo Kwanza initiative, saying that his country considers the policy as ‘progress milestone’ in the country.
"India is ready to offer scholarships to farmers through bilateral ties between the two governments" he said adding "presently, for instance, there are over 2,000 Tanzanians studying in various fields in India through the provision of some 150 scholarships annually to Tanzanians" he said .
The Indian envoy said given the importance of Kilimo Kwanza which was vital and progressing in the right direction it was vital to involve both small farmers who are the majority and some big farmers too.
He said financial institutions like rural and cooperative banks should avail credits for small farmers to be able to buy farm implements and other inputs needed for making Kilimo Kwanza a reality and life style of the majority of people in the country.
He said it was important to note that the outcome of implementation o Kilimo Kwanza "...cannot come overnight as it called for both hard work, perseverance and patience" adding that even India took ten years to victory (1960 -1970) that culminated in ceasing importing some food varieties such as rice and wheat.
In another development, the Indian High Commissioner said a leading Indian Apollo Hospital was to establish its modern centre at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam soon this year to be the best in the whole of East Africa.
He said the establishment of the Apollo Hospital Centre would reverse the present trend under which patients from the region were being referred to India as it would have all the experts while at the same time training some doctors from within the region.
In his inauguration speech, the Indiaqn High Commissioner highlighted the strength of the Indian Pharmaceutical industry which he said had crossed over US18million mark.
The eight member delegation from PHARMEXCIL ends their three (1-3 April) day tour in the country tomThe delegation members spent part of their time yesterday (02/04/2010) to display varieties of their pharmaceutical products (medicines) in Dar es Salaam.
1 comments:
Its amazing that indian methodologies are providing prosperity here in Tanzania. I believe that Indian farmers are encouraged to conserve, exchange and sell their own saved traditional native seeds which gives them Success. Also, the Nanotechnology stuff isn't far now from them.
The Indian farmers are largely dependent on the 4-month monsoon season during which 80% of the year’s total rainfall takes place.
I am sure just like the Indian Govt's efforts in uplifting the farmers, H.E. Mr. Bhagirath would create a big difference by introducing Indian theories here in Tanzania.
I wish him all the best!
Post a Comment