By Amini Nyaungo
Food crop production in Mkalama District has nearly tripled during the 2025/2026 farming season, with local authorities attributing the increase to expanded agricultural extension services, improved farming inputs and government support.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, Mkalama District Executive Director, Asia Messos, said food crop production rose from 116,948 tonnes in the 2024/2025 season to 354,438 tonnes in the 2025/2026 season.
She added that cash crop production also increased from 44,796 tonnes to 50,471 tonnes over the same period.
According to Ms Messos, the district has expanded the number of agricultural extension officers from 16 to 47, enabling more farmers to receive technical support. She said the wider use of improved seeds and subsidised fertilisers provided through the Government's subsidy programme also played a significant role in increasing productivity.
She further said agricultural inputs worth TZS 9.49 billion were distributed to farmers under the subsidy programme.
Ms Messos also noted that the Warehouse Receipt System has improved access to reliable markets for farmers. Through the system, farmers received payments totalling TZS 8.14 billion, while TZS 246.69 million was collected as levies from lentil sales.
District authorities say the improved harvest is expected to strengthen food security, increase household incomes and contribute to the local economy.
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