As the worst power rationing in Tanzania’s recent history continues to bite, horticulture industry players demand plans to privatise power generation and distribution of electricity to provide a buffer for the national grid. “We are still of the opinion that the process of privatising power generation should be enhanced and further include power supply,” said a statement issued through the executive director of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha), Ms Jacquiline Mkindi.
According to her, the industry is affected because the production, processing and marketing of perishable horticultural products requires proper working cold chain facilities throughout the day. She said the intensive power rationing that has been in force in the last three months had dented the horticulture sector. She added that investors in the industry who had propelled the sector from a tiny business involving a few commercial farmers to one of the leading foreign exchange earners for the country have been disregarded.