Basing on the nature of economic production activities explained above, Kongwa district invites external and internal partners who will work with, or collaborate with the farmers and other stakeholders directly or indirectly through intermediates; to revamp economic production as well as the economic wellbeing of its people. In such context the council seeks investor in the following specific areas which are considered feasible and favourable to invest in.
SUNFLOWER OIL REFINERY:
Currently there are 45 private individuals in the area who are involved in the small scale processing business, however what they do is only pressing and purification/filtering which does not meet the required market quality standard.
These are individuals with oil pressing machines who either buy seeds from farmers or provide pressing services by charging Tshs 6,000/= per bag of sunflower seeds in average (Average weight of 70 - 78kg/bag). The oil produced are either sold within the district in retail or sold in whole sale depending on the quantity obtained and wishes of the owner.
This area of investment is still un-exhausted economically since farmers seem to be discouraged to produce much due to poor market price. There is no doubt that investment in this venture will significantly propel more growing and production of sunflower oil since the product is highly demanded and recommended for better health.
MAIZE FLOUR PROCESSING AND PACKAGING:
Kibaigwa International Maize Market (KIMM) is the best point for maize grain collection from small and large producers who sale their produce at the centre. In average the market collects between 74,205 to 116,095 Tons of maize annually.
The Kibaigwa Maize Market functions at this point include purification, sorting and grading, testing and controlling of moisture content before packaging for bulky freight. The buyers of maize from Kibaigwa International Maize Market come from Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Eretria, Ethiopia, and sometimes Zambia, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The presence of this market makes possible for investing in maize and maize flour processing for export and sale to other areas of Tanzania. Little quantity of maize is processed (Flour), packed and sold for consumers in Dodoma, Dar-Es-Salaam and other places in Tanzania.
Currently there are 2 smaller scale private investors in the District who are engaged in the business. These are “Kibaigwa Maize Flour and Food Products”and “Babu Machine”- (“Super Sembe/Sembe Safi”) all are located in Kibaigwa Township. This means that more partners are allowed to come and invest in the business.
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS PROCESSING AND PACKAGING:
As explained earlier in economic activities that livestock forms an important part of Kongwa economy. However its products are no exhaustively utilised particularly the hide and skins. Raw skin and hides is not much taken care and sometimes is partially treated or left to decompose after slaughtering. The number of cattle available allows significant supply of products; meat and milk, and raw material like skin and hide for processing investment at varying capacity in the area.
JUVA HoldingsLtd (Min Ranch) located in Mkoka ward and Kongwa National Ranch(NARCO) are currently producing significant number of livestock breeds suitable for meat and milk production. Kongwa ranch has 2 feedlots, one has a capacity of handling 200 heads of cattle at a time and the other has a capacity of 100 heads of cattle. The ranch also has a min abattoir and 2 chilling rooms with a capacity of handling 100 carcasses per day. Currently Kongwa ranch is famous in producing the most preferable Kongwa Beef which is mostly supplied in cities of Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and other places.
This is another better area for investment particularly in skin and hides processing also meat and milk products which still have higher demand in and outside the district as well as the country.
AGRO-IMPLEMENTS ASSEMBLING AND FABRICATION:
Farmers in the area need simple and appropriate agricultural implements and inputs. This is another area which by investing in, it will support maintenance of machineries already used in agricultural production. This will involves machinery and parts supply and fabrication for tractors, flour milling and oil refinery machines, irrigation implements and others.
Agricom Africa Ltd is the only dealer for SWARAJ tractors and parts while Digalus Garage is the sole dealer for tractors spare parts, repair and maintenance.
The demand is still higher and more investors are welcome to regulate the market by broadening alternative economic choices to the farmer.
