CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has promised that her government will provide free of charge sulphur and key pesticides to cashew farmers if re-elected, saying she no longer wants to see the group struggling to access critical inputs.

Speaking at campaign rallies in Mchinga and Lindi Urban constituencies yesterday, Samia said the move aims to boost production, increase yields and improve farmers’ incomes.

She added that other crops will continue to benefit from subsidised fertiliser and related inputs to ensure increased productivity across the agricultural sector.

“We will bring sulphur, pesticides and other key inputs for cashew farming free of charge. This will enable our farmers to harvest more and transform their livelihoods,” she assured.

Alongside the input pledge, Samia outlined a comprehensive development agenda for Mchinga residents, anchored on agriculture, water, markets, livestock, fisheries and social services

She announced that ten villages in Mchinga will benefit from a major water project, including new wells, while the Kinyope, Lutamba and Litangala irrigation projects will be expanded to promote year-round farming and double harvests annually.

To support commercialisation, a modern market will be constructed in Mchinga with special facilities for vegetables and other produce. The warehouse receipt system will also be strengthened to ensure farmers secure better prices for their crops.

 Samia also promised to heighten efforts in smart livestock keeping by providing vaccinations and modern slaughtering facilities to enable meat exports. In fisheries, she said the government will continue to issue modern boats, having already distributed many and pledged further support for seaweed farmers, including deploying experts to assess production potential for a new processing plant.

On social services, Samia said her government will continue to invest in education, health and energy.

 She pledged to accelerate the ongoing 30bn/- water project, expand dispensaries and health centres and ensure more doctors are posted in Lindi. Electricity rollout will continue, aligning with the clean energy agenda to reduce tree cutting and reliance on unsafe fuels.

She urged residents to embrace hard work and pay taxes on time to facilitate the provision of public services, while also assuring them that the government will increase wildlife officers to address persistent human-wildlife conflicts.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that under President Samia’s leadership, the CCM government has delivered remarkable achievements, giving citizens confidence to re-elect her.

He added that the party’s election manifesto sets out a clear roadmap that will further accelerate development in Lindi.

CCM Secretary General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro reminded residents that Lindi has a proud history of producing prominent leaders at both national and local levels. She urged voters to turn out in large numbers on polling day to secure continuity of progress under CCM.

Mchinga parliamentary aspirant Salma Kikwete, who also addressed the rally, said residents have high hopes that Samia’s leadership will resolve their outstanding challenges.

She highlighted the Ng’apa–Mchinga water project worth 12bn/- that has already begun transforming lives, new bridges and roads that have eased transport, and expanded access to power, with all 47 villages in Mchinga now electrified.

She added that seven new primary schools, five secondary schools and teachers’ houses have been built, but asked the next government to construct additional health centres to meet growing demand.

Kijakazi Yunus, the Special Seats parliamentary aspirant for Lindi, highlighted that a total of 72bn/- has been invested in the region’s health sector, leading to the construction of 47 new dispensaries, 257 health centres and several district hospitals. 
She added that other sectors, including education and infrastructure, have also received major boosts.

Kilwa South parliamentary aspirant Hasnain Dewji commended the government for constructing the international Kilwa fishing port, which he said will attract large vessels from neighbouring countries, thereby creating jobs and boosting the local economy.