Gairo District Embarks on a Strategic Boost for the Potato Value Chain in Morogoro Region
“We have embarked on the journey of developing the potato farming sector. We thank our partners at SAGCOT for their encouragement and for paving the way for us. Now, we are determined to move forward.” — Hon. Jabiri Makame, District Commissioner of Gairo.
As avocado farming gains momentum in Gairo District Council, Morogoro, potatoes have emerged as a second game-changing crop, offering farmers a lucrative short-term option with quick returns in the Morogoro region. With the ability to harvest up to three times a year through irrigation-based farming, potatoes provide immediate income and perfectly complement the long-term investment in avocado cultivation, according to the District Commissioner (DC) of Gairo, Hon. Jabiri Makame.
The DC emphasized commitment to ensuring the achievement of the broader vision of agricultural transformation laid out by H.E. President Samia Suluhu, who nearly doubled the budgetary allocation to the sector in the past financial year.
The new era of agricultural transformation in the Morogoro region is being led by Hon. Malima Kighoma Malima, the Regional Commissioner, who has strategically focused on promoting commercial farming that delivers economic value to the entire community.
Strategically positioned along the Dodoma-Morogoro highway, Gairo District is a vital link between Tanzania’s central and coastal regions. This prime location provides easy access to major markets like Dodoma, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam, making it ideal for agricultural trade. The district comprises three divisions—Nongwe, Chakwale, and Rubeho—each contributing to its thriving agricultural sector.
In December 2024, Hon. Makame held discussions with Mr. Baraka Mwakanyamale, a representative from HZPC, a leading company based in Iringa, specialising in producing and distributing high-quality potato seeds in Tanzania. The meeting focused on promoting potato farming as a strategic crop in Nongwe Division, a region already seeing the initial stages of avocado farming.
As avocado production ramps up, farmers are encouraged to focus on potatoes, which offer a quick turnaround. Potatoes can be harvested thrice a year through irrigation-based farming, making them a profitable short-term crop to complement the longer-term avocado farming projects.
To jumpstart this initiative, the Gairo District Council, led by Executive Director Ms. Sharifa Nabalang’anya, will allocate funds from local revenue. At the same time, the Gairo Member of Parliament, Hon. Ahmed Mabukhut Shabiby, will channel resources from the constituency development fund. Together, they will procure high-quality potato seeds for distribution to farming groups and cooperatives within Nongwe Division.
HZPC will also establish regional demonstration farms to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge required to maximize productivity. These efforts create awareness and foster opportunities in the emerging potato farming sector. The economic potential for farmers in Nongwe Division is significant.
With guaranteed markets in major cities like Dodoma, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam, and even smaller towns, the strategic location of Gairo offers farmers a logistical advantage over the southern highlands, which traditionally supply these areas.
This initiative presents a golden opportunity for farmers to boost their income and move out of poverty. Local leaders have demonstrated their commitment to empowering farmers and transforming lives through agriculture. As the momentum builds, the combination of public investment and private-sector support promises to make potato farming a transformative industry for Gairo District.
