Tanzania to get banana processor

Posted on : Wednesday, 14th October 2015

Salum Said, a Director of Kagoma Green Estates said he wants people in the vicinity to move out of poverty. “What I am doing, I want other people do in order to make sure we support our people and the government in its efforts to fight poverty,” he said last week.

Kagera Green Estates has acquired about 30 acres of land in Kikuku village for planting of banana plants and the activity is underway where over 10,000 banana tree seeds have already planted.

Banana growers in the region are now being advised to start thinking both food consumption and bananas for processing as the installation of a new plant takes off in November this year. In Kagera, cooking bananas represents both a major food source and a financial livelihood for smallholder farmers.

Kagoma Green Estates comprises of modern banana farms at Kikuku village and tree plantations in various areas in Muleba district.

The Estates project manager  Sylivester Marosha said the factory which will be producing banana natural juice is expected to be installed in Muleba district aims at adding value to banana fruits and empowering the locals.

He said the idea of establishing Kagoma Green Estates was to empower banana growers and eliminate poverty. “We are keen in supporting our people, we want to add value to the banana fruit,” he said.

He said Tanzania has a good climate for investment in agriculture saying local investors have to take the lead in supporting their communities.

“Investors should think of their communities and empower them like what our director has done Mr Salum Said.  He was born here and he has decided to bring his money here to support his people” he said.

“Kagera has potential and has everything from fertile land to fresh air. I think the community should give their support for us (investors) in order to make sure that poverty is eliminated in Kagera region. 

Our project has attracted many locals and of course many have grabbed the opportunity. For labourers who come for planting we have handsome payment,” he said.

He asked the government to support local investors especially those who have shown interests in investing in agriculture by providing them enough land.

“I would like to advise the government to take back all lands which are not utilized and give investors who have shown interests in agriculture” he said.

Moreover, Kagera Green estate is supporting the community through good use of land and environment conservation by protecting the water sources.

“Among other things, we have planted trees in various places here in the village and we protect water sources. We have also constructed a modern toilet for Kagoma local government’s office,” Marosha said. In his part the farm manager Projestus Francis said the project is beneficial for the community which is surrounding the area and the people of Lake Zone as whole.

“I thank Kagoma Green estate for granting this opportunity and I hope that if we will work hard our poverty will be history” he said.

However, he called his fellow youth to form groups and join Kagoma Green estate if they want to fight poverty.

“I tell my fellow friends to leave the streets and join me here because there are lots of opportunities” he said