Meatu District Council is one of the five districts of Simiyu Region, Tanzania At the 2002 census, the population of the district was estimated to be 299,619.
The district headquarters is located in Mwanhunzi. Its area is 8,835 square kilometers.
Weather
The Meatu area is semi-arid, meaning it does not receive much rain. Rainfall decreases from north to south where only 400 millimeters per year showers while northern areas receive 900 millimeters. Rainfall levels can vary from year to year which is a problem for farmers.
Economy
The economy as a whole is agricultural and pastoral. Food crops are mainly maize and sorghum but maize cultivation has frequent problems due to changes in rainfall patterns. So every five years there is a shortage of food. Women cultivate sweet potatoes in many places near temporary streams where they are.
The soil, especially in the south, has a high concentration of sorghum and is therefore unsuitable for the cultivation of cassava which is a drought tolerant crop.
Animal husbandry is important in the district and the average number of cattle is 12-13 per household but with a difference between 0 and 2,00 cows per household.
The most important commercial crop is cotton. People have started building cotton mills so the cotton market has improved even though this movement can cause food problems. Meatu is a cotton-rich area in the Simiyu and Shinyanga regions.
Tourism is a branch of the economy that has begun to sprout from the hunting ground.
The extraction of gemstones along with salt has begun here and there using traditional methods.
Boundaries
Meatu is bordered by Bariadi District to the north, Karatu, Ngorongoro and Mbulu districts to the east, Singida and Maswa regions to the west and Sinyanga to the south.
According to the 2002 Tanzania National Census, the population of Meatu District was 248,949.
According to the 2012 Tanzania National Census, the population of Meatu District was 299,619
In 2012, Meatu District Council was administratively divided into 25 wards.
Wards
Bukundi
Imalaseko
Itinje
Kimali
Kisesa
Lingeka
Lubiga
Mwabuma
Mwabusalu
Mwabuzo
Mwakisandu
Mwamalole
Mwamanimba
Mwamanongu
Mwamishali
Mwandoya
Mwangundo
Mwanhuzi
Mwanjolo
Mwanyahina
Mwasengela
Nghoboko
Nkoma
Sakasaka
Tindabuligi