Kilimo Kwanza

Monday 12 April, 2010 kilimokwanza@guardian.co.tz

The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA 2

Monday 12 April, 2010

The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA

Monday 12 April, 2010

INFRASTRUCTURE

EDITORIAL inside

Govt determined to spread irrigation technology across the country The government is now stepping up efforts to promote modern technology to the irrigation system so that it can be applied usefully during the dry season

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Sh9 billion for Kilimo Kwanza bridges

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How pumps have helped farmers increase their incomes Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania, when you look at the statistics through, you see a wide gulf between the potential of what agriculture can achieve and that which is being realised

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Literature giant once wrote: There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken on the flood, leads on to fortune. Let us change the context a bit and adjust it to the Tanzania situation.

Since last year, the national leadership has been calling for renewed efforts on the part of everyone to take part in Agriculture and agriculture related activities.

The new initiative, which has come to be known as Kilimo Kwanza, is different from previous strategies and agriculture development programmes in one basic way – it is tailored for implementation by the private sector.

The previous programmes from independence time until recently were all public sector undertakings, with the state as the key player both in formulation, micro planning and implementation. But Kilimo Kwanza was designed under the auspices of the Tanzania National Business Council, which is a public/private sector partnership and from the outset, intended for implementation to be a private sector role. The government is supposed to be preoccupied with policy development, creation of the right environment and infrastructure development.

The private sector describes virtually everybody. In this country where majority of the people are in the countryside and rely directly on the land, agriculture is everybody’s business. But now it is business in the commercial sense of the word and the train should

not leave any of our people behind.

The time has never been better for quality agricultural output. The international market for foodstuffs is right now insatiable, and the earlier that temporary ban on food exports is reviewed the better for everybody.

In our main feature this week, we have taken a look at how small scale farmers all over the country are taking charge of their destiny by investing in hand operated irrigation technology. These people, who now no longer have to rely on unreliable rain, have multiplied their incomes by over ten times.

Unfortunately, others have not yet risen to the occasion to make use of their own country’s massive basic agricultural resources – land and water. Worse still, some are still looking for excuses “why Kilimo Kwanza is difficult to implement” how “agriculture does not pay” or “we do not have enough capital”.

It is a pity that some people are still engaged in such time wasting excuses.

Fortunately, others are getting busy working, opening up new lands for planting crops for the market, farming fish, raising livestock or engaging in agribusiness. It is such people who will benefit from the new era of Kilimo Kwanza. For time and tide wait for no man.

Wallace Mauggo Editor

Creating hubs for disseminating agriculture management skills TAGMARK specializes in enterprise-based agricultural development initiatives designed to improve farmer incomes and productivity by increasing smallholder access to improved agricultural inputs...

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Governments, Celina Kombani

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Holland helps Tanzania horticulture The Netherlands is not a big partner in the agricultural sector.

The horticultural sector in Arusha region, with its unique climatic conditions, is doing very well in terms of employment creation and foreign exchange earnings 8

Art & Design: KN Mayunga

To have your organisation promoted in Kilimo Kwanza, Call: 0787 571308, 0655 571308 0754 571308

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Governments, Celina Kombani explains to The Guardian’s Angel Navuri the new measures to improve access of the rural areas Q: Is the ministry aware that farmers have been failing to transport their products due to bad roads?

A: Yes the ministry is aware of the situation and that’s why we are increasing the allocation for the local government transport programme each year so as to improve rural roads as one of the initiatives of Kilimo Kwanza. Many of the roads in the rural areas are in bad shape to the extent that farmers cannot transport their products to the market or sometimes even to the nearest market. This has caused products to be rotting because the local market cant buy all of them as other people in the neighbouring villages have harvested too. The government has been increasing the funds for the local government transportation each year so as to improve the rural roads.

Q: How much has the government allocated for rural roads?

A: The government this year in the budget budget has allocated 85bn/- for rural roads and 9bn/- for rural bridges. The trend has been increasing each financial year for example in 2007/2008 the government allocated 25bn/- 2008/2009; the amount was raised to 65bn/- while 2009/2010 it shot to 85bn/- and next financial year it will raise again Q: Why is it that the amount has been escalating more than any other sectors?

A: The government has been doubling the amount allocated for the local government transport programme in order for the rural population to improve their lives; they need to access the basic needs and opportunities in agriculture and for the farmers to be able to transport their products to the far markets as well as the near ones.

Q: The funds that the government has allocated, do they include donors funds?

A: The funds that are allocated for the rural areas roads programme are government money. It is not donor funds.

Q: What is the target of the government for rural roads?

A: The government targets is to improve the standard of the rural roads countrywide so as to have easy movements and farmers to be able to transport their products countrywide to any market they wish too, because it has not been easy for them.

Q: Do you monitor the rural road construction works?

A: Yes we monitor the construction works. We have a team that does evaluation; this is where they check the standard of the roads to make sure that they are built

up to good standard that the government ed to have.

Q: Any action taken against those contractors who don’t deliver the required standard?

A: Normally in such cases we terminate contracts and get another contractor because the roads are suppose to be of a good standard that the government wants, a quality that ensures that we won’t be renovating the roads every year or in some cases just after months.

Q: Any more on the rural programmes?

A: Yes we have The Rural Development and the Poverty Reduction Strategies.

Both recognize that rural isolation is a major factor in the existing poverty situation.

The communities are cut off and are stranded, unable to participate in the socio economic development process; In order for the rural population to improve their lives, they need to access the basic needs and opportunities in agriculture, health, education, financial services and information. It is through access and mobility that the rural sector can perform particularly in agriculture.

The communities in rural areas need to be relieved of walking for long distances and carrying heavy loads on their heads through paths and tracks. On the basis of this background, the Village Travel and Transport Programme (VTTP) was formulated in order to address and improve the rural travel and transport situation.

It was agreed that VTTP should start with pilot projects in selected villages from which lessons and experiences could be learnt before VTTP is implemented on a large scale. The seven districts were selected on pilot basis supported by NORAD, FINNIDA, DANIDA, SDC and World Bank.

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When actions speak louder than words

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Monday 12 April, 2010

The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA

Monday 12 April, 2010

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

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Govt determined to spread irrigation technology across the country

By Angel Navuri

The government is now stepping up efforts to promote modern technology to the irrigation system so that it can be applied usefully during the dry season. One of the measures being taken is to increase the number of training institutions at the local level so as to increase the number of extension technical agriculture officers for countrywide deployment as one of the initiatives of making Kilimo Kwanza success.

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he Assistant Director of Irrigation Research and Technology Promotion in Ministry of Water and Irrigation Eng Amandus Lwena, explained this when handing over awards to small scale farmers who have performed successfully during dry season and to distributors of MoneyMaker pumps in the country. The recognition of the pump distributors underlined the spirit of Kilimo Kwanza that sets it aside from previous programmes – implementing the strategies through the private sector.

Explained the Assistant Director: “Taking modern technology to farmers is very important and this is what is being practiced to many of the already de-

veloped countries, and the private sector should take the responsibility of irrigation. The government will just be monitoring to make sure that the system is doing well.

“Our farmers have to learn how to use the modern technology for farming especially in the irrigation system so that during dry season such technologies can be applied and production will not be adversely affected because of change of season. Right now we are finalising the National Irrigation Development Strategy and the key issue is to make sure that we have enough resources as now we are lacking enough resources to manage irrigation.

“Now we have plans to increase the number of institutions at the local level because the extension technical officers are not enough and we have to train many of them so that they will be scattered countrywide for the farmers to talk to since the modern technology for irrigation is taking over.

“Irrigation can boost the economy tremendously.

That is why the government decided to have the new irrigation policy so that investors could also invest in irrigation because at first there was no such a policy that’s why investors were afraid to invest in irrigation. But from now, the private sector need to be committed and introduce all the modern technology for farming for the farmers.

But at the same time farmers should make sure they cooperate with the agriculture experts that are based in the rural areas so as to make optimal use of the modern technology to boost the production.

“The irrigation system is going to be planned around small, medium and large farms. In our country, people use boreholes to get water for domestic use. But now this will change and the water shall also be for irrigation. We will be educating the farmers on the modern technologies and the farmers should be approaching the experts.

“Our country has a potential for attaining sustainable irrigation development in order to assure basic food security, improve the national standards of living and also contribute to economic growth of the country. There is availability of water resources including small and big rivers and lakes. There is available irrigable land and even some potential revenue can be tapped from irrigation water as user charge.

“Today, farmers are free to sell their crops to cooperatives or private traders. Due to competition, normal producer prices for food and export crops have increased as such farmers can now sell their produce much faster. Farmers are no longer confined to a single source for their essential inputs for crops and livestock.

“The Government recognizes the pivotal role of the agricultural sector both in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. Also the strong influence of factors outside the sector such as infrastructure, rural financial services, land ownership and good governance are recognized.”

Kickstart Country Director Alfred Wise

An Arusha couple use mechanical means to irrigate their land and increase their output and income.

How pumps have helped farmers increase their incomes

The Assistant Director prepares to hand over a prize of a motorbike to one of the successiful farmers.

succeeded.

“Our mission is to enable millions of families to escape poverty forever.”

“Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania, when you look at the statistics through, you see a wide gulf between the potential of what agriculture can achieve and that which is being realised.

“Agriculture accounts 80 percent of employment and 75 percent of rural household income –yet it provides only 27 percent on the GDP. Tanzania boasts 90 million hectares of land, but only a fraction, less than 0.2 is irrigated. There is little use of technology or mechanization to advance agriculture. A recent study by Sokoine University estimates there are 14 million hand hoes in use. Contrast that with their estimate of 9,500 tractors that are operational in the country. That is a 1,500to 1 ratio.

“At Kickstart we are focused on closing these gaps, our mission is to enable millions of families to escape poverty forever. We do that by developing low cost capital equipment and sell it to poor entrepreneurs to start profitable business.

“We have stringent criteria: The technology must have significant impact in peoples lives, it must be effective, and must have high Return on Investment. If we’re asking poor farmers to buy something, they

must get their investment back very quick, whole and a lot more.”

Q: Specifically, what’s your focus?

A: “Since coming to Tanzania it has been small scale irrigation. Why? Simply put, water is the key entry for boosting agricultural productivity and incomes.

Dry spells cut crop yields 2 out of every 3 seasons in sub Saharan Africa, and droughts causes complete crop failure in 1 out of every 10.

“Without a reliable water supply, farmers are reluctant to risk investing in new crops, high yielding varieties and other essential inputs.

“Water allows farmers to put more land under cultivation “Access to water enables farmers to diversity and grow higher value crops, such as fruits and vegetables. Unlike the farmers who wait for the rains, who all come to market at the same time with same crops, farmers using irrigation are able to have crops in the dry season, and sell when prices are high.

“The challenge -helping millions of people escape poverty- is huge, but we firmly believe and have evidence to show that MoneyMaker pumps and small scale irrigation may be the critical first step toward achieving that goal.

“But to reach as many farmers as we need, we must have the best business operations and partners. we must build the best sales force, have the best distributor network and the highest performing agro dealer network in Africa.

“So far we have sold 35,000 pumps in Tanzania. We know we are changing lives

of tens thousands of farming families across Tanzania, and we honor some of the key people and companies that are making possible, this impact on thousands of lives.”

Q: What is the coverage so far in Tanzania?

A: “MoneyMaker pumps are available in every region across Tanzania and are sold through 200 authorized MoneyMaker dealers.”

Q: How really have the people have benefited?

A: “More than 35,000 MoneyMaker pumps have been sold in Tanzania since we started working here in 2001. Tens of thousands of farmers, who generally waited for the rains each year, have moved to cash crops with basic irrigation.

“In the years we’ve been working here, we’ve seen that they move to 3 or 4 crop cycles per year instead of one; they increase the land under cultivation, they dramatically increase their yield, and they have crops when others don’t, that is when the market prices are high. In short, by using our human powered irrigation pumps, they move from subsistence farming to cash crops, effectively creating small enterprises and moving rural families quickly out of poverty. Our data indicates that when farmers start using MoneyMaker pumps, they have a farm income of around Tsh 100,000 and within a year they have multiplied that to more than 1,000,000.

Q: What is the life span of the pumps? Do they have regular maintenance? Do you offer technical assistance to the farmers?

A: “MoneyMaker pumps are designed to last at least four years, but we find many still in good shape on farms after eight years of use. Every MoneyMaker pump comes with a One-Year Guarantee. The pumps are designed to be maintained without tools and simply by hand. You don’t need a wrench, screwdriver or any other tool to disassemble and maintain the pumps. There are parts that wear down over time– piston cups for example -- that need to be replaced after a year of heavy usage to maintain effective suction. Spare parts like this are available at the Dealers.

“We are now making MoneyMaker pumps available as a complete irrigation kit. The pump comes with an inlet hose, 25 meters of outlet hose, and a set of spare piston cups, along with manuals in Kiswahili, so farmers can irrigate their shambas right away and start to see the benefits of irrigation.

“Our dealers can advise farmers on any technical questions they may have. We provide a Users Manual in Kiswahili with each pump, and every farmer has access to our Hotline number – 0756 081911 -- for any questions. We also have a full time sales force of more than 50 people that are working across Tanzania every day, doing demonstrations on farms, farmer field days, and market day demonstrations.

Q: How are you putting this in the Kilimo Kwanza perspective; do you feel you have contributed to Kilimo Kwanza?

A: “We are strongly aligned with the concept of Kilimo Kwanza, especially with the focus on advancing smallholder farmers. We are trying to work with the

Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Ministry of Agriculture. We are also trying to work with more district leaders on advancing the usage of smallscale irrigation technology.

“We believe, and there is strong evidence to support, that water is the key entry point for boosting agricultural productivity and incomes.

Dry spells cut crop yields and droughts cause complete crop failure. Without a reliable water supply, farmers are reluctant to risk investing in new crops, high-yielding varieties and other essential inputs. Water allows farmers to put more land under cultivation and diversification into higher-value crops, such as fruits and vegetables.

Water and effective irrigation is the first step to success with Kilimo Kwanza.

MoneyMaker pumps are focused on helping small scale farmers with a durable, reliable, cost effective solution. Our data indicates that MoneyMaker pumps are successfully helping tens of thousands of Tanzanian farmers escape poverty and improve agricultural productivity.

Q: Those who use irrigation pumps from the testimonies we have heard, are supposed to become large scale farmers. Do you then promote heavier machines?

A: “Our focus is on small scale irrigation technologies. We are supportive of farmers who then grow their farms and advance to other technologies. However, we also find that many farmers stick with a solution that has been proven successful, and simply use more MoneyMaker pumps, so they don’t contend with constantly fixing motors or the high cost of petrol.

will demonstrate knowledge of current evaluation theory and Tanzania’s agricultural, social and developmental challenges and opportunities.

info@cnfatanzania.org xxxxxx

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n his part the Country Director for Kickstart Alfred Wise explained on how the MoneyMaker pumps could be useful to the farmers as many of the users in the rural have

The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA

The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA

Monday 12 April, 2010

PERSPECTIVE

AGRIBUSINESS

The state of Tanzania’s Agriculture at a glance

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Creating hubs for disseminating agriculture management skills The Guardian’s SAYUNI KIMARO talks to Tanzania Agricultural Market Development Trust (TAGMARK) Grants & Communication Manager Mr. Tenga B. Tenga.

Q: What is TAGMARK? A: Tanzania Agricultural Market Development Trust (TAGMARK) is a non profit organization affiliated with CNFA Inc. a Washington DC, based entity registered as an International NonGovernmental Organization (INGO). It is funded by Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA).

TAGMARK specializes in enterprisebased agricultural development initiatives designed to improve farmer incomes and productivity by increasing smallholder access to improved agricultural inputs and better production practices through the strengthening of a rural Agro dealer network.

Q: What kind of trainings does the organization give?

A: The organization offers business management training amongst agro-dealers in equipping them with in-depth understanding of their businesses.

The Agro-dealer serves as the hub point in the value chain, TASP & TASP-E provides Agrodealers with matching grants to improve storage facilities, processing facilities, and invest in transportation, packaging, and handling equipment for farmers outputs.

Q: What does TAGMARK intend to do in supporting Kilimo Kwanza initiative?

A: TAGMARK through its agro-dealer program aims at bringing changes in Tanzania as far as agriculture is concerned.

Agro-dealer is a central hub in improving farmers and makes the agriculture sector top one in terms nations’ contribution. It makes a big different in having people who can advise farmers on what they should do rather than dealing directly with farmers.

Most of the non governmental organizations dealing with agricultural issues are dealing with farmers directly yet sometimes the farmers are not aware of the loss in applying too much manure to their plants.

Q: How many agro-dealers have been trained so far?

A: More than 2600 Agro-dealers have been trained and be certified by CNFA/TAGMARK whereas more than 3,500,000 farmers have access to inputs through TASP/TASP-E certified Agro-dealers.

Q: Do you think NGOs recognize the importance of public relations?

A: Most of the non governmental organizations do not see the importance of publicity and therefore the issues about agriculture are not much discussed. This is because they much focus on their main activities for instance health issues without considering that they can even do the same in enhancing improvement of agriculture.

Q: What is needed to improve agricultural sector in the country?

A: I believe in improving and developing agriculture sector in the country, media promotion is highly recommended in writing more about agriculture issues and hence bringing awareness amongst people from the grassroots to higher level. This will facilitate farmers to have a wider knowledge on how they should practice agriculture.

Q: How long does it take for a trainee to be certified?

A: TAGMARK certifies Agro-dealers through a six-module business management training program that includes managing working capital, managing stocks, costing and pricing, selling and marketing, record keeping, and managing business relationships. This, in turn, significantly lowers the risk assumed by financial intermediaries and input supply companies, thus enabling Agro-dealers to access working capital and credit, which is passed on down to the farmer in terms of accessibility and availability of improved inputs.

Q: What kind of suppliers does the organization work with?

Mr. Tenga B. Tenga

A: The organization works with input suppliers to develop and deliver technical training to Agro-dealers in product knowledge, handling and safe use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, as well as use of improved seed. After training, the Agrodealer can provide authoritative advice on safety and handling of different inputs, increasing customers’ satisfaction and building a loyal customer base. In doing so, the Agro-dealer acts as a one stop service provider for both improved inputs and agricultural extension services. Demonstration plots and farmer field days also increase smallholder farmer awareness of, and demand for improved inputs.

Q: What is the major strength of TAGMARK? A: TAGMARK encourages and supports the formation of Agro-dealer associations in order to create an influential voice in policy formation and change. These associations are enabled to leverage access to credit and services from companies/financial organizations and facilitate increased information flow and cooperation between members.

Q: How many Agro-dealers associations are there currently?

A: To date the number of Agro-dealers Associations totals 26 across the country with more than 700 active participants and growing.

Q: Which areas do TAGMARK operates?

A: TAGMARK operates in four regions being Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, where it covers 42 districts.

Hides and skins: First term ending without policy take off

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By Nimi Mweta

Source: Tanzania National Business Council

RESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete was lately reminding an audience of livestock keepers in Coast Region that they have to use their cattle wealth to steer their lives out of poverty, which to some newspaper readers seemed a new topic. Yet this was one of the themes that were given first priority when the president earnestly started work early 2006, but foundered in the face of intense bureaucratic resistance.

Little has changed in that sphere.

Students of politics have always faced a problem of what determines policy selection and effectiveness of administrators, and one factor that has proved problematic to enter into any equation is culture. The usual sense of culture taken into account is local culture, for instance what JK was saying while visiting Kibamba and other areas in Coast Region. It is hard for people to abandon what they have been doing for centuries so as to modernise.

There is however a different dimension of culture that scarcely ever comes up when there is an effort at analyzing policy effectiveness, and one illustration of this difficulty is the World Bank policy of ‘capacity building.’ The policy generally presumes

that there is low capacity in terms of available policy studies or ability to take note of dangers or risks that a certain line of action poses. In other words, when there is capacity in those areas, policy shall work.

This is more or less what is embedded in current policy drives, including good governance and Kilimo Kwanza as distinctive but related policies, the first relating to conduct of top government officials and the second directing energy and resources to agriculture. Yet it is hard to see how the livestock sector is being considered in the Kilimo Kwanza effort, while clearly it is vital as part of an overall policy drive. It seems no answers as yet exist.

When JK came into office, the calling he made to livestock keepers in a quasi-advisory capacity, merely as a word of wisdom on his part as he was visiting their villages, was in actual fact a policy pillar. He used the visits to ministries to direct officials at the Ministry of Water and Livestock Development (it used to be so at the time) to work on a program to cut livestock numbers and modernize the species. The call wasn’t heard or appreciated. For those who were following the matter, the president repeated the call in his intensive governmental ‘training’ camp at Ngurdoto in Arusha that was meant to set the tone for his administration. For better or for worse, it was also an occasion where bureaucrats were

brought together and had plenty of time to compare notes on policies, and come to conclusions as to their attitudes on those policies. The die was cast on livestock cutting.

Since ‘contradictions among the various sections of the petty bourgeoisie’ are fought in public in the sense of pitting various interpretations of public policy intentions, this was also played out in clear light of day. The sector minister then, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa, was trying his level best to impart the president’s message to bureaucrats and experts in the sector to no avail, as they had their mind tuned elsewhere. They issued their own agenda.

While the minister was trying to lay the framework for the policy mainstreaming of fewer cattle and improved quality, for instance by crossbreeding and taking up more of other varieties of cattle, the bureaucrats weren’t listening. They started putting up newspaper advertisements on those matters, directing attention to the gap between share of hides and skins trade for Tanzania, compared to numbers of cattle in the country. It is still the case.

The failure by Dr Kawambwa to bring ministerial bureaucrats and their associates in leather industry circles or in agricultural sector research and academic institutions to the cattle reduction viewpoint was glaring, structurally. It may have been one reason why JK had to shuffle ministers

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In that sense the modernization outlook that JK had at the start would scarcely cut ice with that lobby, as it maintains that livestock keepers have for centuries lived comfortably with biodiversity

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Monday 12 April, 2010

after a few months, as a few must have been uncomfortable with what they were told to do, against reality on the ground. So Dr Kawambwa left with the policy.

To underline the fact that little has changed in that area, the chase after underdeclared exports of raw hides and skins is still big news when the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) suspects a container and makes a check about it. Experience from the narcotics industry and also in ivory shows that for each one ton of contraband seized by customs or other authorities, nine tons might have gone unnoticed. So that must be true here as well.

What these quarters aren’t learning – and JK grew tired of trying to instill a lesson that society isn’t ready to take note of – is that running after containers to find illegal exports of hides or scrap metal is the wrong way of doing things. Only when the industry is based on competition where transparency pays shall it be possible that all actors do the right thing all along the way. But old habits die hard; the public trusts intervention, not liberty.

When members of this or that lobby hear that TRA has captured a container full of skins they believe that things are finally going right; the misleading concept that development depends on improving governance helps to foster this ideology. As a matter of fact, all governance is economic in

character; countries that are competitive also have good tax administration structures, while non-reforming economies are riddled with high taxes and high levels of bribes. High taxes don’t push growth but curb investment flows, projects.

What is hence obvious from the president’s remarks in Coast Region is that the first term is coming to an end without anything changing in the livestock sphere, and nothing is visible in Kilimo Kwanza that there is a ‘magic bullet’ somewhere. Instead the four years of this administration have been punctuated by bitter contests for space between local governments and livestock keepers. Government directed that they be removed by force.

The policy difficulty that the government faces is complicated by the fact that livestock keepers – who also double up as indigenous peoples – have a formidable lobby that works for them in all aid councils. In that sense the modernization outlook that JK had at the start would scarcely cut ice with that lobby, as it maintains that livestock keepers have for centuries lived comfortably with biodiversity, etc.

That is true, but when urban growth leads to rising demands for charcoal and trees are felled all over the place, rains fall less and many areas start showing signs of encroaching desert, livestock numbers don’t help...

The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands Dr Ad Koekkoek explains to the Guardian’s Angel Navuri his country’s support to the horticulture sector of Tanzania Q: What is the size of The Netherlands’ assistance to the agriculture sector in Tanzania?

A: We have only one activity and that is supports to the horticultural sector in and around Arusha. So, The Netherlands is not a big partner in the agricultural sector. The horticultural sector in Arusha region, with its unique climatic conditions, is doing very well in terms of employment creation and foreign exchange earnings. There are many Dutch private investors who contribute to this success. The Netherlands is renowned for its agricultural and horticultural sector.

Worldwide, The Netherlands is the second biggest exporter of that type of products.

Q: What is the trend of the assistance is it growing? Or decreasing?

A: Right now, the total allocation from the Netherlands for Tanzania for the year 2010 is €75 million, roughly equivalent to TZsh140 bn.

In what specific areas of agriculture is Netherlands assistance channelled and what other plans are there for Netherlands to participate in Agriculture?

A: Apart from the support for the horticulture sector, no other activities in agriculture in Tanzania are supported by the Netherlands. For some years already, we are focusing our support on other sectors,

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Holland helps Tanzania horticulture The Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to Tanzania Dr Ad Koekkoek

like health, and decentralisation. And of course these are important sectors for rural Tanzania. For the time being though we are not considering to become an active partner directly in other aspects the agricultural sector.

Q: Is your country’s assistance to Tanzania leading to self sustenance?

A: Development assistance, if effectively implemented, will lead to economic growth, social development and poverty alleviation. Ultimately that will have to lead to a decrease in aid dependency. But it all depends on the effective use of these resources.

Q: Is their any specific interest in Kilimo Kwanza?

A: Given the fact that poverty in Tanzania is predominantly a rural phenomenon, the renewed focus on agricultural development is most welcome.

Q: Is heavy mechanization in your view, best for Tanzania?

A: There is no blueprint for agricultural development in the various regions of Tanzania. Depending on the physical conditions in an area, technical solutions like irrigation and mechanisation may contribute to enhanced agricultural production. But keep in mind, Tanzania’s comparative advantage lies in its low labour costs.

It is very important to leave it to the farmers to decide what to produce, and how to produce.

Q: Does Kilimo Kwanza in your view have a future?

A: Agriculture in Tanzania has a very large potential indeed. It is however my view that it is imperative that economic policies are rationalised and a supportive business environment is created to allow the private sector to play its proper and very important role in economic development. The private sector creates jobs. Keep in mind that the private sector also encompasses the millions of farmers in this country.

Q: What advice do you have for the agriculture sector?

A: I believe that experience in many countries shows that it is paramount for agricultural development to have a political champion for the interests of farmers in a country. President Kikwete is that champion right now. I believe farmers in Tanzania have not been in such a position for far too many years. Hopefully this will change with the renewed focus on this sector.

Q: Any specific areas in agriculture you would advise the government to focus on?

A: It is my firm belief that the government must focus on the provision of infrastructure, like roads, railways, energy. And create a climate conducive to private investment, both domestic and foreign.

This would take away some of the strongest constraints on economic, and agricultural growth in Tanzania. Let the farmers do their own job. Let the government do everything to support them.

PROFILE Dr. Ad Koekkoek Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Republic of Tanzania He started his career as a lecturer in international economics and development economics, at Erasmus University Rotterdam, in the period 1971 - 1990. His Ph.D. thesis was on the interests of developing countries in the Uruguay round of trade negotiations.

In 1986 he moved on to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, first as a senior economist. Later he became director of various departments in the Ministry, among which the Environment and Development Department, the Education and Culture Department, and the Financial Department. After working for some years as deputy head of mission in Jakarta, he arrived in August 2009 in Tanzania, as the Netherlands Ambassador to Tanzania.

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