AUTHORITIES in Njombe Region have launched an initiative to distribute more than 3,000 avocado seedlings free of charge to local residents targeting low income households.

The move is part of a broader campaign to address stunting and malnutrition among children under the age of five, while also supporting households’ income generation. The distribution exercise was launched on Monday by   Njombe District Commissioner, Juma Sweda, in Sido Mtaa in Njombe Town Council.

Speaking at the event, Sweda highlighted that stunting remains a significant health challenge in the district. He said various interventions are required to tackle the problem, including promoting sustainable agriculture through initiatives like the provision of avocado seedlings.

“The seedlings are being given to residents to plant. In time, the fruits will enhance family nutrition and can also be sold to increase households’ income,” Sweda said. However, he warned against negligence, noting that some individuals have previously taken seedlings only to let them wither due to lack of care—then later blame the government for not supporting them in old age.

“An avocado seedling is like a pension. If you plant and care for it today, it will take care of you tomorrow,” the district commissioner said. Sweda urged residents to break free from the mindset of accepting poverty as a norm and instead seize opportunities   to improve their lives.

Njombe Town Council’s agriculture officer, Tadeo Luoga, explained that the seedlings are being distributed in accordance with a directive issued by the Prime Minister during his 2022 visit to the region, in which he instructed local councils to produce and distribute seedlings to the public.

“To date, we have produced and distributed 30,140 avocado seedlings across seven wards. We also have another 10,000 seedlings currently being produced by the Lugenge Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Society (AMCOS),” Luoga said.

Enocy Lupimo, Njombe Urban Ward executive officer (WEO) shared further efforts to fight malnutrition in the area. These include the distribution of eggs to children under five and pregnant women.

“Our next campaign will see every household receive one litre of milk. After that, we plan to host a Nyama Choma’ festival where residents can enjoy free roasted meat,” he said. One of the residents, Eva Lulandala, expressed her gratitude for the programme, saying the avocado seedlings would provide long-term nutritional and economic benefits.

“We are thankful that the government has reached out to us. The seedlings will make a real difference to our lives,” she said.