Drought hits Dar es Salaam urban farmers

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By Mnaku Mbani
Economies of urban farmers, mainly those involved with horticulture in Dar es Salaam have continued to deteriorate following the prolonged drought which has resulted into the fall of production. Tanzania has experienced shortages of rain since last year, which is totally threatening future food security, and this has generally affected the welfare of urban farmers.

Vegetable farmers said the prolonged drought has dried up small rivers which they were depending as sources of water for irrigation.
It is estimated that close to 0.1 million people in Dar es Salaam, the commercial city, are currently involved with horticulture activities which are feeding more than 4 million city population.
The situation has also caused the increase of price of vegetables by more than 50 per cent as well as the quantities of the products that are sold t directly to consumers or local markets.
“This is being a big blow to us because we are no longer earning what we used to earn before,” said Shaaban Mbegu Kiungandua (35), a vegetable farmer from Mbagala area, located on the outskirt of Dar es Salaam city.
Mbegu said the shortage of water has become a major concern to their activities because they previously depended on Mzinga River as source of water, which has now dried up.
He further said following the water shortages, they have opted to find water from private water suppliers of which they buy one cubic meters for Tsh2,000 (more than one US dollar).
Previously, before drought, they used the river Mzinga water which was obtained for free, but now they are obliged to pay water bill, which has added up their costs of production.
According to Tanzania Metrological Agency (TMA) forecast from November last year to this month, many parts of the country will experience only one seasonal rain from traditionally two seasons.

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