JAPHET SANGA in Canberra, 26th May 2009 @ 23:29, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 516
Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister Bernard Membe has asked Australia to shore up support for Africa in agricultural development, especially irrigation farming.
The minister, who began a four-day official visit here yesterday told African heads of missions at a reception to mark Africa Day that the continent was capable of feeding itself given the expansive arable and irrigable land.
“What we (Africa) greatly need is to encourage Australians to share their expertise in agriculture with us so that we have a system that uses quality seeds, enhanced farming methods with an intensive approach to realise better yields,” said the minister.
Mr Membe, who graced the Africa Day with his Australian counterpart, Mr Stephen Smith, said Africa could ward off hunger by strengthening irrigation farming through the support of Australia. About 70 per cent of Australia is arid or semi-arid, and a large part of the country’s centre is unsuitable for settlement yet it exports around 65 per cent of its farm products; 60 per cent of its forest products and 51 per cent of its dairy products.
The minister also asked Australia to support Africa in its war against diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids, citing Tanzania as in dire need of medical personnel whereby one doctor caters for 30,000 patients while one nurse attends to 23,000 people.
Earlier yesterday, Australia agreed to train an additional 75 community workers dealing with Tanzanian children and families adversely affected by HIV/Aids, extending an ongoing programme in partnership with UNICEF.
The deal was struck during a meeting between Mr Membe and Mr Smith in which 14 Tanzanians will also receive post-graduate scholarships next year as part of Australia Aid’s (AusAID) growing scholarships programme in Africa.
Africa Day marks the day the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) was founded 46 years ago. The reception here was held at the Egyptian embassy under the theme: “Towards a United, Peaceful and Prosperous Africa.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Smith said during the occasion that his country was committed to working together with Africa on trade reforms, climate change and peacekeeping missions.“Australia is willing to help Africa become a prosperous continent, especially in supporting capacity building initiatives in social, political and economic fronts. That is why we are increasing scholarships programme in Africa,” he said.
He hailed Mr Membe’s visit as a milestone in Australia’s relationship with Tanzania, saying it was the first visit to Australia by a Tanzanian Foreign Minister since 1989.Mr Membe is accompanied in his visit by the Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Wilson Masilingi and Singida North MP, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu.
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