Tanzania: Dodoma youth advised on improving grape productivity

DODOMA City Council has urged the youth in the capital to form or joint grape-growing groups, so that they can access loans from the council to improve the crop cultivations. Grape is one of the strategic crops grown in various parts of the Dodoma region and sustains several livelihoods. The call was made recently by the Director of Dodoma City Council, Joseph Mafuru at a ceremony to provide loans to women, youths, and people with disabilities in Dodoma. Equally, Councils in the country have been tasked to allocate 10 per cent of their revenue for providing loans to women, youths and people with disabilities. Director Mafuru said if youths can form groups and access loans from the council, they can improve production and be more successful, instead of everyone fighting independently. He added: "We advise them (youths) to form groups, and then come to our office for loans ... We are not afraid to give someone 300m/- , 400m/- or 500m/- even if it is one group. We can only hold one ...