Tuesday, July 2, 2013
 |
| Sisal Farm |
Tanzania Sisal Board (TSB) has asked the government to review taxes imposed on sisal plantations to make the sector run smoothly.
TSB said that from the last financial year the government raised a number of taxes including land rent from 200/- per acre to 10,000/-, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) levy from 5,000/- to 35,000/- per a plantation worker. Other charges that shot up include fire services that now stand at 2m/- per sisal plantation.
The TSB Planning and Research Officer, Mr Fredrick Sospeter, said that Tanzania
is the second largest sisal producer after Brazil, thus it was high
time the government initiate on various strategies to improve the sector
to add more income to its coffer.
Established in 1997 to regulate sisal
sector, TSB has recorded a number of achievements including opening up
more opportunities inside and outside Tanzania. He said despite being
all whether resistant crop, sisal can be intercropped with other crops,
thus providing the farmers with both food and cash crops, hence giving
an added income from the same land area.
“Sisal is still used to produce
agricultural twine, packaging, ropes, coverings, rugs and handcrafts.
Recently, sisal has been used to produce composites which substitute
fiberglass, asbestos, cement and other synthetic materials that major
industries use to make component for their products such as as cars,
furnishings, watercraft and airplanes,” he said.
TSB Quality and Assurance Officer, Mr
Simon Kibasa said that sisal sector has been for a number of years
contributing a lot to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the exports
was higher thus giving country foreign exchange.
Statistics shows that in 2011, Tanzania
exported sisal fibres and other sisal products that recorded 26 million
US dollars, while internal sale stood at about 20.3bn/-. Tanzanian sisal
fibres are exported to Unite Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, China, Kenya, South Africa, India and Morocco.
While in 2012, according to Mr Kibasa,
Tanzania exported 15,541 and 5,257.9 tonnes of sisal fibres and products
respectively, making the country to earn 30 million US dollars while
internal sales of both sisal fibres and products recorded over 25.8
bn/-.
Some of the notable challenges that draw
back sisal efforts to fully contribute to GDP, according to Mr Kibasa,
include inadequate labour supply and inaccessibility of loans. In its
effort to improve sisal sector, TSB appealed for more support in terms
of loans accessibility, subsidy and offering more extension services to
sisal plantation.
The illustrious sisal plantation in Tanzania includes Amboni, China estate farm, Sagera sisal estate and Toronto estate farm.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Our Visitors
Discussion
Blogger Profile
Sisal rugs are made from natural fibers derived from the 'agave sisalana' cactus plant that is grown in the semi-arid regions of Brazil and Africa. The plants are known for their toughness and durability, to the extent that the commercial production of Tanzanian sisals have survived every drought in over a century. The fibers are harvested by hand from the leaves of the plant and can grow up to three feet long. Each leaf contains about 1,000 fibers which are processed (crushed, beaten, washed, dried, brushed and baled) to make rugs and the remainder of the plant is used to produce electricity to sustain the local economies of the grower countries. Not only are sisal rugs extremely durable, they also pose several environmental benefits; they are harvested in a sustainable manner and are renewable as well as biodegradable Sisal rugs are generally very refined looking and are available in a variety of colors. Although they are not as soft as silk, they are very comfortable to walk on as the fibers don't stab you and leave bits of sisal rugs in your skin. Sisal is different from coir, hemp grass and jute; it is much stronger and hence durable than most natural fibers. Its strength makes it perfect for making plaster reinforcements, dartboards, ropes and twine for marine and bailing purposes. Sisal's textured look makes it a favorite among interior designers across the world. These qualities of sisal also make it a preferred material for rugs and carpets. Because of their tough construct and inherent durability, sisal rugs are ideal for in home use and are recommended for high-traffic areas and commercial use. Most sisal rugs have a layer of latex applied to their backsides which helps keep the integrity of the rug's weave and makes them extra durable, thus prolonging their life. There are also several protective products for coating sisal rugs to resist liquid spills, repel water and retard soiling. Machine woven, natural fibers such as sisal, sisal wool, wall-to-wall carpets, mountain grass, jute area rugs and sea grass rugs have non-toxic and anti-static properties which make them an excellent choice for light-commercial and residential use. The natural fibers create healthy indoor humidity levels, prevent the buildup of static and do not have any off-gassing fumes that can cause irritation to the eyes or throat.It must be kept in mind that sisal rugs must not be placed in areas where there are chances of exposure to direct moisture. . jute rugs is because moisture can cause the rug to become water stained and wavy over time.
ReplyDeleteWe are honored to see that you have visited our website, to make Crucial decision of Baby naming. Congratulations on your new baby Boy/girl! What to name this cute newborn. Here is a list of hundreds of unique names for girls and boys. we have total collection of about 12 thousand names.indian names
ReplyDelete