DODOMA, June 2 -- THE Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) has been directed to begin immediate procurement of three aircraft and a fleet of drones to support aerial agricultural operations in the country.

The Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe gave the directive in Dodoma last Friday during the reception of a plane worth 6.0bn/-, part of a broader strategy to modernise pest control and boost productivity in the agriculture sector.

Bashe said the procurement process should start immediately saying that the budget for 2025/26 has already been approved and there should be no delays.

“We must start the process immediately,” said Mr Bashe, “ the paperwork can start now.”

The plan includes the esta...