Arusha. The Netherlands and two Arusha-based colleges have agreed to work together on a horticulture programme that seeks to address the knowledge gap among students who pursue industry-related courses.
Under the programme that was launched yesterday, some 10 Dutch companies active in the horticulture sector will work with Arusha Technical College and the Horticultural Research and Training Institute Tengeru to share knowledge and transfer technologies to staff members and students in an attempt to improve skills needed in the market.
The ambassador of the Netherlands in Tanzania, Mr Wiebe de Boer, launched the programme dubbed Northern Highlands Education Programme (NOHIED), which aims at creating high-impact learning by addressing the knowledge gap in the horticulture sector.
“Companies may eventually hire competent labour from these universities, contributing to the reduction of youth unemployment,” he said.
“It is also a testimony of solid partnership and collaboration between the Netherlands and Tanzania to implement people-centred programmes that leave no one and no place behind, especially for the youth,” he said.
Horticulture is an important sub-sector for both Tanzania and the Netherlands, with the potential to considerably contribute to gross domestic product (GDP) through exports.
According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), the country earned $289.6 million from horticulture exports last year.
This was, however, a drop from the $378.6 million that was exported in the previous year (2021).
The rector of Arusha Technical College, Dr Musa Chacha, said the partnership will sharpen the skills of the youth and increase their employability in the horticulture industry.
“There was a gap between the knowledge taught in colleges and what is exactly needed by companies operating horticulture projects,” he said, adding that the training programmes will reflect the real situation out there.
“These companies will bring their experts to the college to train what is needed in the labour market,” he said.
The acting rector of Horticultural Research and Training Institute Tengeru, Ms Fahimia Amiri, said the programme will help both students and their trainers get practical experience from the companies.
“This is going to reduce the gap between training and the practical skills needed,” she said.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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