There are also opportunities for fishing at Lakes Rukwa and Nyasa. It is said that if modern fishing gear could be introduced, the production of fish could increase from the current 12,000 metric tons to over 20,000 tons annually.

With adequate rainfall, rivers, streams and springs abound, Mbeya could possibly be the most watered region in the country. Except for a few pockets, water problem in the region is not access to water, rather, access to clean and safe drinking water within a reasonable distance.

Its coverage area of 63,617 square kilometers, account for 6.4 per cent of this country's total area, excluding sea area. Out of the region's total surface area, dry land is 61,783 sq. km and water covers only 1,834 sq km.

Its immediate south links it to the countries of Zambia; Malawi with Tunduma and Kasumulu in Mbozi and districts acting as entries respectively. Other bordering regions are Rukwa to the west, Tabora and Singida to the north and Iringa region lies to the east.

Whether you travel by air, train or land, you will be amazed by what God has blessed this land with, the mountains, rivers, natural vegetation, climate, name it!

Altitudes range over relatively short distances from 475m above the sea level at Lake Nyasa to over 2900m on Rungwe peak. Its major part is within the Great Rift Valley.

The southern plateau of south highlands forms a watershed area of the main rivers draining the land. Major rivers include Great Ruaha, one of the big inlets of Indian Ocean, Zira and Songwe drain into Lake Rukwa and Nyasa, which serves as a reservoir for Malawi.

Mbeya boasts of the most fertile soils on the land, the soils that attract growing of every crop that we know, with few exceptions of those that grow on temperate areas. Therefore, there are a lot of agricultural activities going on in densely populated areas such as South Usangu Plain, Central Mbeya Plain, West Rungwe Plain and North Kyela to mention but a few.

For quite a long time, the southern highlands have been neglected when it comes to investment ventures despite having the necessary opportunities in abundance. The areas mentioned above are just few among many, which might yield high returns for individual investors and the government in general if large-scale farming is practiced.

For example, Kyela produces the most delicious rice in the country. Just visit any market in cities and towns, ask any woman who has ever cooked rice, which is the best, she will definitely tell you; its 'super' from Kyela.

The region's low land area covers about 82,000 hectares of potential irrigation. However, only 17,000 hectares are under active irrigation for the production of paddy (rice) mainly.

Apart from rice, other crops that need large-scale investors as well as boosting of small-scale farmers are maize, beans, wheat, coffee, bananas and tea.

So far, only 712,558 hectares of land is under cultivation, out of 5,700,000 hectors of the total arable land that Mbeya region has. The geographical setup of the region is suitable for a variety of crops, both temperate and tropical.

Mbeya and the rest of the southern highland zone regions, form the agricultural powerhouses of this country, despite the challenges cited.

The region has favourable climatic conditions that permit the raising of both indigenous and exotic livestock. Out of the total number of cattle in the region, 796,611 are traditional, while 26,196 are exotic with a dairy bias. Traditional cattle sustain the region's animal protein source while dairy cattle form the main milk source. Currently the sector's growth rate stands at 5.5 per cent and is expected to shoot up to 8 per cent by the year 2010.

While many shops in urban centers and regions beyond are full of imported milk products like cheese and ghee, millions of litres of milk are rot annually because of lack of market and technology for milk processing.

Authorities in Mbeya say that investing in milk industry will create market and employment to the farmers, and most importantly substitute expensive imports to some extent.

Mbeya has important mineral deposits including coal, gold, iron ore, limestone, marble, travertine, the number continues. The sector contributes 2.5 per cent to the regional GDP.

Production in most of the deposits is declining due to inability of small minors to purchase modern tools and equipment to substitute their simple ones, as well as lack of reliable market.

Report by Mbeya Cement Company for example shows that the production of coal in the region can not meet the industry's requirements of 2 million tons annually. The industry gets only 100,000 tons from the region. It therefore has to import a large chunk it from Malawi and South Africa, which of course means outflow of foreign currency.

From the tourism point of view, the potential is yet to be exploited and only a few attractions have been exposed and advertised for tourists.

There are unique ecological features of tropical rain forests and the people with their culture and traditions, lake beaches and aquatic resources coupled with biodiversity all provide untold tourist potential of the region.

The high potential for tourist hunting, photography, fishing and bird viewing in Usangu, Lakes Rukwa and Nyasa, Kiwira and Songwe rivers, will not only give you as a tourist a busy holiday into the region, but also but provide you with contact experience with animals, fish and some of the most beautiful birds of tropical Africa.

Availability of social services such as education, health and water gives one assurance of visiting or staying in Mbeya region. It has some of the best schools in the country for example,- though the rate of illiteracy is still high and poses a stiff challenge.

Despite having abundance water sources, coverage in terms of safe and clean water supply is still poor particularly in rural areas.

Report from the office of the Regional Commissioner shows that HIV/AIDS is gaining importance as a cause of death in the region, which of course is both a social and economic problem. The prevalence is 13.5 per cent, the highest in the country.

Prevention campaigns have succeeded in raising people's awareness, but it has not translated into required behavioral change.

Mbeya has good telecommunication network and reliable transport infrastructure that any one who visits the region can bear witness. The completion of Songwe International Airport, just a few kilometers outside the city on the Mbeya-Zambia Highway will provide easy access to the entire southern highland region by both high level delegates who converge in Mbeya for meetings as well as tourists.

The airport is a SADC initiative and is expected to be one of the busiest serving Southern African countries.