Speaking after visiting the Sokoine University of Agriculture pavilion at the Nane Nane agricultural exhibition, held at Nyakabindi grounds, today August 6, 2020, Hon. Mpina said he has visited the pavilion of the Ministry of Agriculture and TARI and found the biggest cry there is the Soil Laboratory.

"Soil laboratories seem like a luxury item but in any case we need to test soil health so that we can increase our production in agricultural products." Said Hon. Mpina.

He added that the mobile soil laboratory is very small but can serve the Division or the District as a whole.

"I have accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Agriculture so we will look on how we can establish collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and PMO-RALG so that all councils at least have these mobile laboratories that will enable our lands to be tested in the fields of all farmers", added Hon. Mpina.

Hon. Mpina said SUA has many innovations including the technology of storing vaccines in a special container that costs very little compared to the equipment we are used to and some require major maintenance or electricity considering not every pastoralist area has electricity.
 

The mobile soil laboratory used to measure soil health

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Hussein Bashe said he was grateful to SUA for agreeing to use its Soil Laboratory, Seed Health Laboratory and Biotechnology Laboratory to enable Agricultural Laboratories be internationally recognized in order to provide laboratory services for agricultural development.

He also asked SUA to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, TARI and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that these mobile soil laboratories are available to as many farmers as possible.

So far SUA has been able to provide a mobile soil laboratory in Mvomero District Council and there is already a plan to deploy them in Njombe and Mbeya Urban Districts.

Story Credits
Ms. Mariam Mwayela
Communication and Marketing Department, SUA
Nyakabindi, Simiyu