THE government intends to establish zonal centres where tractors, power tillers and other agricultural tools will be available alongside farm inputs, cutting hiring costs by half.

Samia Suluhu Hassan, the CCM presidential candidate, issued these promises for major initiatives to boost agriculture and improve infrastructure countrywide, to ease the burden on farmers who rely on costly private rentals.

Addressing a campaign rally in Chemba, Dodoma Region yesterday, the leading presidential candidate said if re-elected the government shall work to cut ploughing charges where one acre costs over 40,000/- at present.

To hire a tractor from the private sector will be solved as through these centres, tractor hiring prices will be half of that amount, as agriculture remains at the heart of rural livelihoods and national development, she emphasized.

Samia also urged voters to support the CCM “three pillars” of  president, members of Parliament, and councilors, stating that only with full popular backing at all levels can the government effectively deliver on its promises.

The CCM flagbearer outlined a series for Chemba District and the region, including completion of the Chemba bus terminal and market, a long-standing project aimed at easing trading and transport challenges.

She also pointed at acceleration of the Farkwa Dam project as critical for meeting the growing water demand in the region especially as it also harbour’s the country’s capital, highlighting the development of industrial clusters.

The government plans to identify and invest in key economic sectors to spur job creation and local value addition in various districts and regions, she said, asserting that improvement of roads is vital.

This includes the construction of new tarmac roads and upgrading feeder roads that are currently impassable during the rainy season to ensure year-round accessibility, she said, stressing a broad agricultural sector vision.

The government has already earmarked special farming zones across the country, she said, hinting that Dodoma would be prioritized, with more zones to be allocated if existing ones are insufficient.

“This is part of our wider plan to transform agriculture into a reliable anchor for prosperity, not just subsistence. Farmers must have access to affordable tools, inputs and markets in order to thrive,” she stated.

While in Mvomero and Kilosa districts in Morogoro region on Saturday, the candidate urged residents to bank on Vision 2050, whose goal is to help the country achieve upper-middle income status.

If the party remains in power, it will effectively manage the National Development Vision 2050 as it seeks to reduce reliance on large external loans, to ensure Tanzania has a self-reliant economy, where development activities can be carried out without depending on external support.

The CCM government will ensure that domestic resources are well-utilized to help the country reach its development goals, such that by 2050, no Tanzanian will lack essential social services such as health, education, electricity and clean water, she declared. 

All these objectives will be achieved through a strong and self-reliant economy, which will empower Tanzanians to access better services and live improved lives, she stated, with a section of residents at the rally hailing the government for addressing a range of long-standing challenges.

These include water supply, health services, education and infrastructure development, they said, underlining that the government’s investments in boreholes and piped water projects have eased the burden of walking long distances in search of clean water.

The construction of new health centres and dispensaries has improved access to essential medical care, while in education, the building of additional classrooms and schools has reduced congestion and enabled more children to access learning opportunities closer to their homes. 

Ongoing road works was a major step towards boosting mobility and economic activities within the district, they added.