Farmers in Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region, have welcomed the government’s continued provision of subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural inputs, describing the programme as a lifeline that has boosted productivity, incomes, and confidence in farming as a business.

Speaking ahead of CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan’s campaign launch in Ruvuma, the farmers said the subsidies introduced under the Sixth-Phase Government have cut production costs while raising yields. This has enabled households to expand acreage, improve livelihoods, and invest in family needs.

“We used to struggle to buy fertiliser at high market prices, but with the subsidies, we can now cultivate more land and expect better harvests,” said a local maize farmer. “Our incomes have improved, and we can pay school fees and meet other family needs.”

Others noted that the programme is drawing more youth and women into farming. “This initiative has motivated many to see agriculture as a business and not just subsistence. It is creating employment and giving young people a reason to stay engaged in agriculture,” said one coffee farmer.

Agriculture has been prioritised as a driver of growth and food security under the current administration. In Ruvuma Region alone, over TZS 249.7 billion has been invested in projects ranging from agricultural development and extension services to market access. Fertiliser and input subsidies, improved seed distribution, irrigation projects, and rural road construction have all contributed to higher yields in coffee, tea, maize, and beans.

Beyond agriculture, major government investments in health, water, electricity, and infrastructure have transformed the region’s economic landscape. Farmers say these combined efforts are making markets and services more accessible than ever before.

“Development is visible here,” said another farmer. “With good roads, subsidised inputs, and access to electricity, farming is no longer a struggle but an opportunity to grow wealth.”