Tuesday 4 May, 2010 kilimokwanza@guardian.co.tz
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Get your title for ten acres before you think of getting a husband or a wife
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Our country has a lot of unutilized land, possibly up to seventy percent of it and it is has been preserved for you, our children, to put it to effective use
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 4 May, 2010
EDITORIAL
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countries—particularly in Africa. Yet, during the 2009 WEF annual meeting, it was another stage where Africa benefited tangentially. The forum provided a global platform for four heads of government from the G8 (Germany, Japan, Russia and United Kingdom) as well as from China and from G20 members in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to help the international community explore the origins of the financial crisis and to begin work on solutions based on a common understanding of the situation. From all the foregoing, one could say that despite the odds, Africa has to some extent benefited and continues to benefit from the activities of this non-profit making global organization, but what appears not to be clearly interlinked is the kind of benefits the continent gets as against the people’s demands. If one is to look into how the Dar es Salaam WEF meeting should benefit the continent most, there are specific areas that one needs to study. One, is what has been the concern of the forum in each world region and the specific demands of each world region. Recently, the forum opened two regional offices in Beijing, China and New York in the US. Besides that the forum has its big presence in Brazil and Middle East, Far East Asia and India. The idea behind this is to promote investments in these developed countries and the emerging markets. If one is to list WEF action points after Dar this week, they would include having this organisation set up a permanent office in Africa, just as it has done in the US and China. The second thing would be to have it help in supporting programmes that directly impinge upon the common people—poverty alleviation through promoting agriculture, addressing the common diseases, supporting education and promoting home-based investment growth. Currently, most African countries are involved in a drive to promote agriculture for increased food security, exports and industrial development. We believe that if the WEF is to make a big impact for the continent, it should come up with a profound programme on this in their Dar brainstorming.
Wallace Mauggo Editor
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After years of disappearance of agricultural extension workers from the countryside, the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) has identified a potential alternative source for their acutely required services
Tanzania’sPresident Jakaya Kikwete
Biogas technology spread and potential financing drawbacks
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Think longerm, Ireland urges Tanzania
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Katherine Tweedie - Director for Africa, World Economic Forum Kilimo Kwanza. The country’s president, Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, is expected to co-facilitate the particular session with the president if the Rome based International Fund for Agricultural Development, Kanyo Nwanze, and the Chief Executive of the giant Norwegian fertiliser organisation, Yara, Joergen Ole Haslestad. The meeting will explore ways how
stakeholders can work together effectively to drive sustainable growth in the agriculture sector and capture the region’s considerable agricultural potential. Other important issues to be discussed is the development of infrastructure, Information and Communication Strategies, and corruption which eats up 25 percent of the continent’s GDP.
World Economic Forum Founder, Klaus Schwab.
Some technologies like biogas sound on the surface extremely simple to adopt, or to bring about in a rural or semi-urban context but...
Ireland’s direct funding to agriculture in 2010 is €5,375,000 (approximately TSh9 billion). Most of this is invested in the Government’s three-year-old, innovative and comprehensive Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) which...
8 Artwork & Design: KN Mayunga
anzania will have the opportunity to present its Kilimo Kwanza strategy to top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists during the World Economic Forum that starts in Dar es Salaam tomorrow. At the main plenary of the forum, a specific session has been set to discuss “A New Vision for Africa’s Agriculture”. This is because of the sector’s critical relevance to the economies of the continent, employing up to seventy percent of the people in most countries. The forum is sitting in Dar es Salaam at a time when the continent’s agriculture is threatened with the climate change phenomenon that may see output shrink by 25 percent in a matter of a few years. Yet at the same time the best opportunity for the sector to spur growth for real economic take off abound, with favourable market conditions which the continent can seize by taking on better farming methods. “We are getting an important legacy from this forum and that is Growth through Kilimo Kwanza,” said Tanzania National Business Forum Executive Secretary, Mr Dunstan Mrutu. “It is a legacy for all of Africa, not just Tanzania.” Tanzania, the host, is in the ninth months of the launch of its green revoltion,
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HE World Economic Forum, one of the leading global meetings that bring together top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world, including health and the environment kicks off in Dar es Salaam tomorrow. This is the first time such a prestigious conference, which normally meet in Davos, Switzerland takes place in Tanzania, and in the East and Central African region. Prior to this conference, such earlier meetings in sub Saharan Africa have been taking in South Africa (for the past four years), Egypt (three times) and Morocco (one time) though the latter two are not categorised as African region countries. Generally, though in terms of number and where the fora have been held, one could say Africa has comparatively had a very small share, it would however not be correct to say this continent has not benefited from the same, even before it became actively involved in the affairs of this organisation—about six to ten years ago. The present democracy that Africa and other developing countries enjoy today was a result of the Davos debates of the intelligentisia, which helped a great deal to activate the thawing of the Cold War, giving way to the present neo liberal democracies. More pertinent to Africa is the resolution of the Apartheid question in South Africa in the 1990s. It was until when the never met leaders—Nelson Mandela, Frederick de Klerk and Mongosuthu Butelezi—were called to take part in one of the WEF meetings that they met and shook hands for the first time before the dialogue to democracy and present day freedom enjoyed in the former racially-ruled country started. Leave the past alone, of recent, Africa has also been benefiting from the WEF in terms of global programmes in health, environment and education. For example, in 2006 the Global Plan to Stop Tuberculosis (2006-2015) was launched by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates at the forum’s annual meeting. The project – a coalition of over 400 organisations – aims to treat 50 million people and prevent 14 million tuberculosis deaths worldwide over 10 years. In 2008 at the WEF annual meeting, the Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, unveiled a five-year, USD10bn fund to support efforts in developing countries to combat global warming. At the same meeting, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation coughed a USD306m package of agricultural development grants for developing
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Tanzania will have the opportunity to present its Kilimo Kwanza strategy to top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists during the World Economic Forum that starts in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.
Serious follow up on Dar es Salaam WEF 2010 needed
POLICY
World Economic Forum to focus on Kilimo
World Economic Forum to focus on Kilimo
A substitute for the invisible extension workers?
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 4 May, 2010
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The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 4 May, 2010
COVER STORY
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The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 4 May, 2010
COVER STORY
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A substitute for the invisible extension workers?
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS SOCIETY OF TANZANIA (AGREST)
10TH SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BACKGROUND TO THE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS SOCIETY OF TANZANIA Agricultural Economics is a branch of economics for the application of economic analysis to agriculture business and industry. In general economics is the social science that seeks to understand why production decisions are taken, and their collective implications for statistical aggregates such as national income and the balance of payments, and to use this understanding to provide advice to producers, governments, investment agencies, and others on the allocation of scarce resources. Agricultural Economics is one of the strongest branches of economics. The Agricultural Economics profession has played a very important role in many countries in the design and implementation of various agricultural development initiatives. It is from this perspective that the Agricultural Economics Society of Tanzania was formed. The society was officially registered in 1999 although pre formation activities of the society had been going on since the mid-1980s.The main objectives of AGREST are: (i) to facilitate scientific research and provide a common forum for academicians and practitioners to disseminate knowledge, (ii) to encourage the practical application of research findings to production and marketing of agricultural products and (iii) to influence policy on agriculture. Over the period of its existence the AGREST has contributed to the agricultural policy processes of Tanzania in a number of ways chief among which is the collection of scientific research outputs and their dissemination through annual conferences of members and publication of the proceedings of AGREST. Currently the society has a total of 150 members, including academics and practitioners.
CALL FOR PAPERS
We seek to get a wide range of contributions in addressing the complex issue of agricultural development in Tanzania. We therefore welcome all types of contributions: broad, open, cross cutting, focused contributions by scientists and practitioners. The contributions in this year’s conference will be published in the proceedings of the AGREST. A full schedule (time table) of papers and contributions during the conference will be forwarded to participants at least two weeks before the date of the conference. The deadline for submission of abstract(s) is 15th June, 2010. Authors of accepted abstracts will be requested to submit first drafts by 30th July, 2010. All submitted draft papers will be reviewed and feed back will be sent to authors immediately. Final papers should be submitted no later than 30th August 2010. All submissions should be done online through email address: Gabagambi2005@yahoo.com, dgabagambi@repoa.or.tz, enrmbiha@yahoo.co.uk
AGREST contact details: The Agricultural Economics Society of Tanzania, c/o Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Sokoine University of Agriculture P.O. Box 3007, Morogoro, Tanzania Email: daea@suanet.ac.tz Website: www.suanet.ac.tz Tel. +255-232603415; Fax: +255-232601390; Mob: 0754501541
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YOU ARE ALL WELCOME Dr. Damian M. Gabagambi GENERAL SECRETARY
JKT trainees listen attentively to TNBC Executive Secretary, Dunstan Mrutu last Friday (above). Mrutu talks to JKT staff (below).
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By Kilimo Kwanza Reporter
fter years of disappearance of agricultural extension workers from the countryside, the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) has identified a potential alternative source for their acutely required services. TNBC Executive Secretary Dunstan Mrutu has called upon the National Service Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa to urgently review its curriculum and give recruits intensive training in agriculture so they become major providers of agricultural extension services that are not widely lacking in the country. TNBC, the agency established by presidential circular in 2000 to advise the State on the business and investment climate of the country, are the initiators of Kilimo Kwanza strategy to modernise and commercialise Tanzania’s agriculture as a way of eliminating the widespread poverty afflicting majority of the Tanzanians. Addressing staff and trainees at the JKT institute of Ruvu last week, Mr Mrutu observed that that in the prevailing situation when even graduates of agriculture from the country’s public universities no longer get employed in their sector, an urgent solution must be found to revive extension work. This is the only way the rural
farmers can successfully take up modern farming methods in a short time to increase the quality and quantities of their output. The role of agricultural extension workers started diminishing with the shift from socialist ideology where agricultural activity was generally directed by state policies. But in the new economic set up, many extension workers became inactive and the role has not yet been effectively reassigned. “The government for instance had a fully fledged institute for training the trainers of agricultural workers but it was run down” Mrutu observed. “That role must be revived and should be taken over by JKT,” he told the staff. While separately addressing the young recruits who are about to complete their two-year training, the TNBC chief elaborated on how the JKT graduates can play the role of extension workers. He said the JKT graduates need to engage directly in commercial agriculture in all the districts where they are posted and lead the local farmers by example. In a lively session with the enthusiastic young servicemen and women, Mr Mrutu systematically sensitised them to the great but largely untapped opportunities that the agriculture sector offers. He started by awakening them to their right to land, which many appeared unaware of. “Our country has a lot of unutilized agricultural land, possibly up to seventy percent of it and it is has been preserved for
you, our children, to put it to effective use,” he said. Many of the recruits had said that they consider lack of land the biggest obstacle to engaging in agriculture. “At the completion of your course, I would like each of you for a start to go the district land office and claim ten acres for a start, get a title for it and start on some form of commercial agriculture,” he advised. “Get your title for ten acres before you think of getting a husband or a wife,” he urged the trainees who were smartly dressed in their battle fatigues, about half of them girls. Tanzania has 44 million hectares of land suitable for agriculture and plenty of fresh water from rivers, lakes and underground for irrigation, in addition to rain water that is left to flow away untrapped. Mr Mrutu himself underwent similar training at the same JKT institute 37 years ago and is now a successful farmer. He however cautioned the soldiers that the battle against poverty needs more patience than the one of defending the country against military opponents whom a soldier is trained to deal with immediately after formulating his strategy. “With agriculture, and especially when advising the rural farmers you need to be more patient. There is no shoe that fits all sizes and different areas are suitable for different crops.” He gave examples of areas where maize, the commonest crop, is unprofitable
to grow but where other crops can do well. The young soldiers had questions about mobilizing capital to invest in farming and they were given an overview of the financial markets, which at the moment are not very attractive for the agricultural sector. However, plans are at advanced stage to set up an agricultural bank, which will start with the opening of an agriculture lending window in the Tanzania Investment Bank. “Lack of capital is the ready excuse everyone in Tanzania gives to avoid going into agriculture,” the TNBC chief said. “But what we need first is a mental re-orientation because the most important resources, we already have. Kilimo Kwanza is a matter of the state of mind.” Other obstacles to making agriculture profitable discussed included myriad of con-
straints, some of them by the state, like “excessive taxation” against farming activities. “Things like the cess that takes away ‘three bags out of every hundred’ that a farmer produce are a disincentive.” Participants also noted the numerous roadblocks on the roads which can go up to forty or fifty to cross from one border to Dar es Salaam. Participants calculated that such a journey is made unnecessarily longer by 24 hours, not to mention the heavy losses incurred in form of unofficial “taxes” paid at the roadblocks. The servicemen were given an overview of the favourable external markets for agricultural produce, which make investment in the sector attractive to those in the know. Asked who are the people now in the countryside where the green revolution is sup-
posed to take place, the servicemen observed it is their parents and grandparents, hence the need to have the youth to engage into commercial farming. Participants discussed models based on a few acres of land through which one can make far more money that they can ever be paid as salary in employment. They were however advised to continually educate themselves in management and farming skills during the abundant time they have when they are not on duty in various places of employment, wherever they will be stationed. They were informed of the existence of a district business council (DBC) in every district, which they should liaise while helping to mobilise people for commercial agriculture.
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The 10th AGREST conference and Annual General Meeting will take place in September 2010. The conference will be held at in Moshi, from 23rd September, 2010 to 24th September, 2010. Tanzanian agriculture is facing formidable challenges to day than at any other time in history. The development of the sector is influenced by a number of formidable forces: climate change, food insecurity, dynamic agricultural value chains driven by both upstream and down stream structures. Agribusiness is at the same time witnessing more entrepreneurial production and value addition activities in response in particular to the international consumer demands. It is unfortunate however that the farmers of Tanzania in particular are remaining ever poor and don’t seem to show any ability to address the opportunities that are emerging. As they form a majority of the population in the country we have no choice in addressing the scenario head on. It is true that a number of initiatives have been undertaken to accelerate the growth of agricultural incomes. But no strategy seems to offer any hope. Efforts such as KILIMO KWANZA must be complemented with strategies and actions that are well defined. AGREST seeks to have together a collection of academicians and practitioners to brain storm through the challenges and opportunities.
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
PERSPECTIVE
By Miki Tasseni
ENTURE capital is at times the equivalent of the proverbial ‘wishes becoming horses’ sort of situation, and in recent debate about the pros and cons of venture (adventurist) capital, or usually known as ‘derivatives,’ that is building upon something else, venture capital must be a bit silent at the moment. It reminds one of the scenario in Shaaban Robert’s story about three brothers where one was ‘diligent’ and the two others plotting and envious, respectively. Whatever is said that touches ‘derivatives,’ their close relative ‘venture capital’ will put his hands on the face for shame. Happily there are cracks that are being seen in what appeared to be a new global consensus against derivatives, and by implications, against venture capitalism as a whole, since in many regards the latter depends on the former. It requires one to believe that some promise of gain is tangible in this or that business idea, and that whatever loss may arise from it may on the whole be absorbed, at least without affecting the wider business climate, for venture capital to get cash in banks. Investment funds are all about taking risks where nothing is assured, not ready made. After the global crash initiated by the failure of Lehman Brothers, many people sought to urge banks to return to the common sense of taking deposits and lending to serious businesses and not to imaginary ventures for some unclear profitability later, by ‘deriving’ from some tendencies. The more populist version of that feeling, not wishing to be critical at the technical level but taking derivatives from the sentimental level, talked about ‘greed of bankers,’ earning huge bonuses or commissions for deals that were destined to fail. Many saw just a huge bankers’ fraud scheme. World Bank president Robert Zoellick has of late helped to put the house in order especially in Washington where Barack Obama’s populism is now being translated into law, to ensure that no banks are ‘too big to fail,’ or to separate derivatives from banking, asking speculators to find their own capital, not go to the banks. All this set of socialist measures is likely to be diluted
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 4 May, 2010
ADVERTISEMNTS
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Biogas technology spread and potential financing drawbacks to a large extent, though there are some accommodations that it seems even the banking industry was more or less expecting would be needed. The core of such accommodations though is to raise the Basel conditions for sound banking, a sort of underwriting of risk, not the abolition of ‘greed.’ That means there is plenty of hope at the local level that new and innovative industries like the use of biogas for rural communities and institutions will be able to obtain upfront financing, when at least voluntary organizations like Hivos (T) Ltd can place cash to kick-start those projects. The difficult part would be if banking would be screamed at to lend money only to the most sound projects by large firms, where no risks are evident, which means many projects would not pass that test. The problem is that the part that needs to be played by donor organizations or voluntary groups is still to high, for local equity tied for instance to the project area land as collateral is low. Some technologies like biogas sound on
the surface extremely simple to adopt, or to bring about in a rural or semi-urban context, for instance on a Hivos write up that the capital it needs is just about 100 dollars and takes four hours to assemble. One would wonder why it hasn’t so far been taken up by households all over the country, but then chances that each household would seek the capital and use on its own are limited. It would be better if there are entrepreneurs at the local level who can provide the service by producing the biogas at an identifiable place and cart it to the household, or otherwise connect it like water taps. It is this infrastructure that poses problems. While for instance researchers say that cows can provide a steady supply of manure, and farmers are helped to obtain a digester for the manure not necessarily with a cash advance but a contract involving exchanging heifers at a later stage, the technology isn’t progressing fast enough. One reason is the inadequacy of agency or con-
The Guardian and Nipashe Kilimo Kwanza are committed to supporting all the promoters and stakeholders of Tanzania’s Green Revolution. To get your organisation or business activities covered in this supplement,
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Providing the Agriculture, Health and transport segment the ultimate fusion Cattle, the easiest source of biogas
veyance issues, as relying on individuals to start becomes a problem at the level of habit as charcoal, wood rule continuously, and putting up a community program lacks continuity. Donor funded programs are notoriously discontinuous, that if the donor leaves the program collapses; communities don’t take up a commercial version of it. A recent stand off in relation to a water project in a village on the slopes of Kilimanjaro was a reminder that once a program has started as a community project it has to remain that way. If the donor wishes to reduce involvement at a later stage and seeks to transfer it to an agent, or say shifts control to a local leader (say a councilor) the latter will lack legitimacy as inheritor of the project. Yet that method is
preferable to entrusting such project to a committee, for it will soon be bogged down in spare parts, bickering and sustainability problems. Financing is more available where a single agent exists who makes a profit from the scheme and it can be transferred to someone else, not when there is a committee which emphasizes that the project is a social good. These divergences of what it takes to bring technology to the doorstep of each household and village, as a necessary dimension of the Kilimo Kwanza program, and the modus operandi of most rural programs initiated under the ‘Mkukuta’ (growth and poverty reduction program). To solve the contradicting ethos of the two programs is a task that has perhaps
started in some areas, but there is no clarity for instance as the ruling party prepares to defend its record before the voters after the parliamentary budget session has ended. The commercial ethos of Kilimo Kwanza is penetrating fast enough, but even as regards crop inputs the logic hasn’t been quite understood; when it comes to ‘social goods’ like water or use of relevant technology, making commerce the key link will be difficult. Without making the land on which those projects stand the pivot on which financing is made, seeking to make projects commercial merely by espousing a new ethos risks bogging it down in interminable debate. It will definitely be about ‘participation.’
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Tuesday 4 May, 2010
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
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Tuesday 4 May, 2010
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Think longterm, Ireland urges Tanzania Tanzania is by hand. Only about 10 per cent of farming uses some form of mechanisation. Small holder farmers need to be able to use the type of mechanisation that is suitable to the way they farm and that suits their farm size. There is, of course, a place for medium and large-scale farmers. But they tend to need greater subsidies and investments than do small holder farmers, and when resources are scarce, it may be wise to invest more where you will get a greater return – in small holder farmers, for example. Q: Does Kilimo Kwanza have a future? A: Kilimo Kwanza is a government of Tanzania and private sector resolve to support agriculture. It is an important comprehensive initiative geared to refocus support to agriculture. The future success or failure of Kilimo Kwanza will depend on the Government’s commitment to plan and implement the ten Pillars outlined in the Kilimo Kwanza document and on the private sector investing more and adding value to agriculture in Tanzania. But with the ASDP in place the Government is in a strong strategic position.
Q: What advice do you have for the agriculture sector? A: The problem for agriculture has been that few involved in the sector think long-term, say, 30 to 50 years. The agriculture sector is, and will remain for a long time, the main activity of the majority of people of Tanzania. It is therefore important for the Government to continue to give priority to the sector and provide an adequate budget to it. There is a continuing and real need to improve agriculture infrastructure especially rural roads, markets, rural energy and agro-processing industries. Farmers need to be given the support to produce and market their produce within Tanzania and also reach outside markets in East Africa and further afield. Adding value through marketing is also critical. I would love to see more Tanzanian products – and not just excellent coffee – on the shelves of shops in Ireland, for example. Why not? The produce that is grown here rivals any in the world. With more investment in small farmers, and subsidies may be a necessary investment, and more capital for agro-processing this country could fulfil its enormous potential to feed itself, the region and many other countries besides.
The Irish Ambassador Her Excellency Ann Barington during a visit to Singida to mark the official launch of a new scheme supported by Ireland to improve access to fertilisers and seeds for small scale farmers. With her is Ms Matired Jeremiah Kibingo, 46, of Ndughwira village, Mtinko Ward, Singda rural district.
By Angel Navuri – KILIMO KWANZA Q: What is the size of Ireland’s assistance to the agriculture sector in Tanzania? A: Ireland’s direct funding to agriculture in 2010 is €5,375,000 (approximately TSh9 billion). Most of this is invested in the Government’s three-year-old, innovative and comprehensive Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) which, by all accounts, is beginning to have a real impact and has the potential to be the catalyst for the green revolution in Tanzania. We also contribute to private sector development projects in agriculture, within the ASDP, focusing on cocoa production and marketing in Kyela District and support for the provision of seeds and fertilizers for small holder farmers in Singida and Dodoma Regions. Another pillar of our programme is support to the development of pastoralist communities who, despite the huge economic contribution they make to this great country, are marginalised, under enormous pressure and do not have a strong voice. Indirectly, Ireland also supports agriculture through our contribution to General Budget Support provided to the govern-
ment of Tanzania. And at the international level we contribute through agriculture programmes of the European Union and the United Nations. We also support Irish NGOs operating in the agriculture sector in Tanzania such as Concern and Oxfam. Q: What is the trend of the assistance is it growing? Or decreasing? A: Despite very challenging circumstances in Ireland over the past two years we have managed to ensure that our support to the agriculture sector is on the increase.
Q: In what specific areas of agriculture is Ireland’s assistance channelled? A: Ireland’s main support to agriculture is channelled through the ASDP basket. As the ASDP basket supports agriculture priorities set at national and district levels, our support covers the full range of agricultural services including: research and extension, marketing and private sector development, crop and livestock improvement, infrastructure development including irrigation schemes and rural roads and, an often neglected area, food and nutrition security.
Q: What other plans are there for Ireland to participate in Agriculture? A: Ireland is currently chairing the development partners’ group supporting the agriculture sector in Tanzania. We have been encouraging additional partners to join the sector in a way that can maximise the Government’s sophisticated plan for agriculture development through the ASDP. With up to 80 per cent of the population of Tanzania engaged in agriculture in one form or another it seems sensible that a large part of our development effort to tackle poverty should be focussed on rural livelihoods and growth in the agriculture sector. We have welcomed and been actively supporting the Kilimo Kwanza initiative as a national resolve to support agriculture. You will recall that agriculture has been for far too long a neglected sector both by the international community and many African governments. As a result small holder farmers – the backbone of the market economy in this country – have been neglected and have had to overcome enormous odds in order to make a living and feed their families and the all people this country. Despite overwhelming obstacles they have managed – heroically in many cases. But they need support not only from
Government and development partners but also by local and international investment in the sector. This is something we will continue to advocate for.
Q: Is this assistance leading to self sustainability? A: Yes we believe it is. Our assistance, in line with the ASDP, strives to empower smallholder farmers to attain food self sufficiency to improve their livelihoods. The ASDP is the Government’s own plan. The Government has provided the leadership and has increased its capacity to implement agriculture development initiatives. Sustainability in agriculture requires continuing commitment from all stakeholders over a long period. I believe that the commitment is there but more players investing in the sector, and within the framework of the ASDP, would help.
Q: Is there any specific area of interest in Kilimo Kwanza? A: Ireland ‘s interest in Kilimo Kwanza is to support the Government’s initiatives to promote increased funding to the agriculture sector by more donors; to increase participation by the private sector in agriculture; to increase support to small holder farmers, especially women and margin-
alised groups, and to increase support to the agro-processing industry. I have to say, though, that in order for the agriculture sector in Tanzania to prosper there must be greater effort made to improve the climate for doing business. Banks have to give loans at lower interest rates and for much longer periods than they do at present. Agriculture cannot be treated the same as any other business because it is fundamentally different: it is a long-term investment. And the Government has to do more, and urgently, to ensure that farmers are empowered, given incentives and allowed to take their own initiatives as rational economic players. More must be done also to ensure that farmers are not exploited by unscrupulous middlemen and are not stymied by regulations that frustrate, rather than facilitate them using the market economy for the benefit of Tanzanian citizens and all the people of the East African Community and beyond. The investment sector also has to be willing to take risks as the potential for rewards are great. Q: Is heavy mechanization best for Tanzania? A: Most of the small holder farming in
Q: Any specific areas in agriculture you would like the government to focus on? A: Small holder farmers are the backbone of this country as they are in China and India. Both China and India have thriving farm sectors. Small holder farmers have enormous potential, they work harder and produce more per hectare than any medium or large scale farmer. I believe that the government should continue to focus on supporting small holder farmers, especially women, by technology, by research and by disseminating information through effective extension services. I believe that the Government is doing this through its ASDP. I was in Singida recently and was delighted to hear from the Regional Commissioner the impact that the ASDP is having on the ground there for small farmers, especially increased production of sorghum, sunflower and local chickens. Singida is a region with significant agricultural challenges but also huge opportunities with appropriate interventions. With increased funding, especially in the under-funded area of marketing, the ASDP will remain the key means through which small holder farmers will be lifted out of poverty and will be able to thrive. And if farmers thrive, this country will develop at a very fast rate. Finally, I think that everyone, including the media, could focus more on nutrition. Producing more food is necessary, but it is not sufficient. There must be more emphasis on ensuring that children don’t go to school hungry, that pregnant women get sufficient nutrients so they and their babies can thrive and that the rate of stunting is greatly reduced. In order for the children of Tanzania to reach their full physical and intellectual potential the linkages between health and agriculture, promoted by the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre, need to be higher up the agenda.