Geita is a newly region formed in 2012, following an amalgamation of 3 Districts; Bukombe from Shinyanga, Chato from Kagera and Geita from Mwanza regions. Other 2 districts;Mbogwe and Nyang`hwale districts. The region covers 21,879 Sq kms in which 1,946 Sq km is covered by water and 20,729 sq km of dry land. Geita region is estimated to have a population of 1,780,949 according to the 2002 National and Population Census. Moderate temperature of the region ranges from 220C to 300C; the average rainfall ranges from 900mm to 1200 mm per annum.The rain season starts from September to January and March to mid May. The region has several types of soils such as Mbuga, Loam, Sand, Sand loam and Clay loam soils suitable for agricultural activities.
The status of the region economy depends on Industry, labour market trades etc.
The region is estimated to have 1,402,900 ha. Of potentially cultivatable land which allows the growth of a wide varieties of food and cash crops. The area under cultivation is 769,123 hector equivalents to 54.8%. The major food and cash crops includes maize, rice, cassava, beans, potatoes, paddy sunflower, pineapple, vegetable and cotton. More than 77% of the region labour force depends on agriculture for their earning.
The climate of the region favour growth of improved dairy breeds particularly promotion of daily cattle through cross breeding. The livestock in the region includes: Cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, local chicken and ducks.
The potential grazing land is 319,033.7 hector. The region has limited number of developed industries the existing 5 medium industries process seed cotton, cotton seed and cotton lint for semi processing while 1870 small industries hulling and milling machine simsim machines, fruit and sunflower processing and simsim machines.
Trade sector mainly depend on SMEs large, small mining, large share of trading activities is dominated by informal sectors. Trade in services such as telecommunication and financial services Institutions facilitate economic activities. Other economic activities include forestry, beekeeping, fishing, wildlife and tourism.
Availability of social services such as education, health water and recreations has positive impact in economic activities.
The region has several potential sectors for investment mainly in Agriculture, livestock, mining, fishing. The specific investment potentials available in Geita region includes crops cultivation (Paddy, growing, pineapple, cassava, maize beans sweet potatoes, sunflowers banana cotton fruits and vegetable), Beekeeping, Timbering, Gold mining and cultural tourism .
