Tuesday, December 24, 2013

On 2:02 AM by Shambani Solutions   No comments
The Mvomero District Commissioner, Mr Anthony Mtaka, has called upon the youth to venture into agriculture as a source of income instead of engaging in crime-related activities and drug abuse.The DC issued the remarks when inaugurating the “2014 Female Food Heroes” contest in Morogoro at the weekend. 
 
 Harmonies  sung by women filled the air at Kingolwira Village, which this year’s winner of the competition, sister Martha Wasu, resides. Competition organisers, Oxfam Tanzania, used the occasion to launch the event by issuing participation forms for the national event.

The ‘reality TV-style’ competition aims at raising  awareness on the incredible achievements attained by female food producers across the country, whose contributions to society often go unrecognised.

Last year’s winner, like others before her, won agricultural equipment of her choice from Oxfam, including the building of a farming centre for female and young farmers to learn modern agriculture methods.

“Agriculture can alleviate poverty, it’s time the youth took it seriously; the government and other stakeholders like Oxfam will continue to provide their support  including technical skills,” the DC said.

Mtaka said that women comprise a big number of farmers in the country as they grow, process, market and prepare much of the household’s food. The competition has teamed-up with a popular reality TV show, “Maisha Plus.” 

After the screening of applicants from more than 10 small-scale women farmers across the country, about 20 finalists will be selected for the final event. They will camp at a “reality Maisha Plus TV village” for two weeks,  engaging in different tasks while receiving training.

As the 2014 event has been launched, the previous winners, since its inception in 2011 have also been involved in lobbying and campaigning for change to improve conditions for small-scale women producers.

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