Madaba farms its way to fame, honey and all

Madaba District in Ruvuma is getting a major agribusiness makeover. A company named Jenga Tanzania Agriculture Limited is behind the push, with large farms already operating in Lutukira and Ndelenyuma villages. The district council's Executive Director, Advocate Sajidu Mohamed, gave the project his full backing after a recent inspection. He confirmed the government wants to keep things friendly for investors like this.

The council boss stated the investment is already paying off through taxes and fees. That money is getting funneled into local stuff like schools, clinics, and roads. For the actual farming, Jenga Tanzania is growing maize and sunflowers. They are also getting into beekeeping and fish ponds. These operations are supposed to tackle food supply issues and create jobs, especially for women and younger people. Advocate Mohamed mentioned this shift is moving the area away from old-school subsistence farming, bringing in modern tech and more permanent work.

Managing Director Dr. Basil Deusdedit from Jenga Tanzania pointed to even bigger plans down the line. The company is looking at adding agro-tourism to the mix, aiming to put Madaba on the map for both farming and visitors. Deusdedit also emphasized their commitment to community programs focused on health and education, which they see as key to maintaining good relations with locals.