EXPANDING surveyed livestock-keeping blocks from the current 3.4m acres to 6m acres by 2030 is among priorities of the next CCM government after the October 29, leading presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan, has declared.

Addressing the public at a Mangaka rally in Nanyumbu District, Mtwara Region yesterday, she said the blocs are designed to reduce conflicts between farmers and pastoralists while boosting livestock sector contribution to the economy and improving livelihoods.

Livestock blocks expansion will go hand-in-hand with investments in major infrastructure for smooth animal keeping, she said, assuring Nanyumbu residents of water infrastructure, including building dams and irrigation schemes to support farming throughout the year.

Hailing farmers’ productivity in the area, she said that in recent years, they had benefited greatly from government support and investments, as over 73bn/- went directly to farmers from cashew sales, whose production rose from 15,000 to 24,000 tonnes in the past four years.

Sesame sales gave farmers 83.9bn/- during the period, while groundnut production increased from 26,100 to 33,170 tonnes, earning farmers 82.9bn/-. Likewise, pigeon pea harvests rose from 1,130 to 5950 tonnes, priced at 10.8bn/-, she said.

The gains arose from the government’s efforts in providing subsidised fertiliser, ensuring timely access to inputs and improving extension services, she said, assuring farmers that the government was seeking reliable international markets for their crops.

This is accompanied by plans to establish industrial zones for processing raw crop produce in the southern region and other areas, she said, pointing at power supply in Mtwara as likely to be increased soon with the construction of a transmission line from Ruvuma.

Building bridges and uplifting road connections at gravel and tarmac level will ease transportation of goods and services, she said, pointing at government intent to address persistent wildlife incursions affecting communities near national parks. The government is committed to protect livelihoods and foster proper conservation, she said.

She said that during the past half-decade the government had laid a strong foundation for socio-economic transformation which will be pursued with even greater determination, while party secretary-general Dr Asharose Migiro urged the residents to turn out in large numbers on Election Day and vote for CCM candidates at all levels.

Yahya Mhata, the parliamentary candidate for Nanyumbu, pointed at the government’s investment of 44bn/- in sulphur and other inputs, which had boosted cashew production from 15,000 to 24,000 tonnes during the period.

Improved health services, with hospitals and better equipped health centres and the construction of a girls’ secondary school billed at 4.2bn/- were other rally highlights.