In a move aimed at enhancing crop production and nutritional services, several primary schools in Chamwino District, Dodoma Region, have received a generous donation of over 500 kilograms of sorghum seeds. The seeds, provided by the Dodoma Agriculture Seed Production Association (DASPA), are part of an ongoing initiative to bolster sorghum farming in the area.
Aithan Chaula, the Executive Director of DASPA, highlighted the organization's commitment to supporting the government's efforts to ensure children in schools have access to adequate nutrition services, ultimately improving academic performance and reducing truancy. Sorghum, known for its drought-resistant properties, is distributed annually in Chamwino District as part of a broader campaign to encourage the cultivation of this resilient crop.
Chaula emphasized the importance of using quality seeds to enhance agricultural productivity, noting that the association focuses on producing seeds of high standards. He acknowledged the government's role in promoting agricultural productivity by facilitating the production of quality seeds for distribution to farmers.
The DASPA Executive Director also pointed out the involvement of the private sector in encouraging farmers to join groups and providing them with training to improve their agricultural practices. The distribution of Masia sorghum seeds to approximately 100 primary schools is part of the concerted effort to promote sorghum farming in the region. Each school is expected to cultivate an average of one to four acres of the crop.
In a related development, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) challenged Tanzania in October of the previous year to increase sorghum production to meet the growing global demand for grain. William Lasway, Monitoring Officer at WFP, highlighted the organization's substantial demand, estimating at least 200,000 tonnes of sorghum from Tanzania per season. This demand is primarily to support humanitarian efforts in countries such as Sudan, Somalia, and Burundi.
The donation of sorghum seeds to Chamwino District schools aligns with broader initiatives to enhance food security, and agricultural sustainability, and support educational institutions in the region.