DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 30 -- TO my dear readers of this column, allow me to begin by wishing you a belated Merry Christmas, a season in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our mighty Saviour who came to redeem the world from sin. This season of goodwill continues into the early weeks of January.

And since, by the time you read this, we will be just a day away from ushering in the year 2026, let me also wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. May God shine His face upon you and grant you every tool you need to turn your noble intentions into reality. Every day in a year is like a page in a book.

As we prepare to turn the page to a fresh chapter of 365 largely blank pages, it is my hope that the lessons we learned in agriculture ...