THE government is determined to ensure Meatu District gets water from Lake Victoria as part of a broader plan to improve livelihoods and support economic activity, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared.

Pursuing a five-day tour in the region, the president addressed Meatu residents at the major bus stand, hinting at the major water project intended to address persistent water shortages in the town.

She reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting cotton farmers and accelerating industrial development as part of Tanzania’s broader economic transformation agenda.

Formally inaugurating the Biosustain cotton processing factory in the town having a capacity for 300 tonnes of cotton per day, she said it is expected to significantly benefit farmers and create local employment.

This is part of efforts to enhance value addition in agriculture, she said, noting that the cotton industry is vital to Meatu’s economy. “This factory is not just a symbol of growth—it’s a step toward wider industrialization,” she stated.

Cotton production in Meatu has increased from 22m kilogrammes in 2020 to 40m kilos last year, where Meatu now boasts three processing factories and 148 smaller processing units, she said.

Greater support will be extended to expand the region’s industrial base, including improving energy and road infrastructure, she said. “All 109 villages in Meatu have been connected to electricity,” she said, pointing at plans for a high-voltage transmission line to improve power supply.

Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe praised Meatu and Igunga districts for their leading role in cotton-production, highlighting that the government has issued 3.0bn/- in subsidies to cotton farmers in Meatu to lower production costs and boost yields.

She also pointed at the construction of new schools, classrooms and hostels in the district as part of broader development initiatives. Luhaga Mpina, the MP for the area, appealed to the government to address the district’s poor road infrastructure, hindering market access and social mobility.

Simiyu Region had received 200 tractors where 60 were allocated to Meatu, he said, urging improvements for better transport networks to support agricultural productivity. In response, the president assured residents that road construction remains a key priority in the government's development agenda. In the regional tour, additional stops are expected to be directed to inspecting and launching key development projects, officials said.