Agriculture has continued to dominate the livelihood and economic performance of Simiyu Region. The sector contributes about 75 percent to the Regional economy and employs about 80 percent of the active population in the Region. The main cash crops grown are cotton, groundnuts and sunflower. While the main food crops are maize, sorghum, paddy, sweet potatoes, millet and cassava.
Simiyu Region covers a total area of 23,807.7 square kilometers, which is equal to 23,807,700 hectares. Arable land suitable for Agriculture is 11,479,100 hectares. Total area cultivated is 6,942,378 hectares which is 60% of the arable land.
Total Regional Land which is suitable for irrigation is 61,542 hectares and the Land which is being utilized according to 2011/12 data is only 14,766 hectares (23.99%). The land under irrigation is usually planted with paddy, maize and vegetables.
