Tuesday 22 March, 2011
SUPPORTING THE PROMOTERS OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION
kilimokwanza@guardian.co.tz
WATER WEEK AND KILIMO KWANZA
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 22 March, 2011
EDITORIAL
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Kilimo Kwanza: Govt criticised
HREE reports, all with implications on agricultural performance in Tanzania, were unveiled during the just-ended Water Week. Finance minister Mustapha Mkulo presented to parliamentarians a 12 trillion/- outline budget featuring 12 priority areas of the economy, agriculture included. According to the outline budget, 6.396 trillion/- in domestic revenue will be collected in financial year 2011/2012, with external and domestic budget loans and grants providing 710.7 billion/- and foreign loans and grants under basket and project funding giving 1.979 trillion/-. Donors under the General Budget Support (GBS) umbrella will provide a total of 514.3 billion/-, while the remaining 2.169 trillion/- will be sourced through what the minister referred to as “other means”. The government plans to spend 4.594 trillion/- on development programmes, while the remaining 7.376 trillion going into the financing of recurrent activities. A study on taxation value chains sponsored by the Agriculture Council of Tanzania meanwhile claims that a reduction in produce cess from 5 per cent to 3 per cent of farm gate prices is unlikely result in positive impact on the lives of farmers. The government has waxed hot and cold over whether to scale down or eliminate the cess. The levy is a key component of revenue earnings for local councils in the country’s agriculturally dependent areas, with revenue collections from local councils forming a portion of the government budget. Commenting on the report, agriculture stakeholders acknowledged that the high charges and haphazard administration of the levy is a significant disincentive to agriculture development. There is also the Preliminary National Sample Census of Agriculture and Livestock report, as unveiled by Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives minister Prof Jumannne Maghembe. The sample report talks of significant progress in the sector. It indicates an increase in the use of improved seeds and synthetic fertilisers but a decrease in the use of agro-chemicals. It also shows an increase in crop production in the 2007/08 period and an increase in the live-
Artwork
& Design: KN Mayunga
stock head-count. National Bureau of Statistics Director General Dr Albina Chuwa is on record as saying lessons learnt from the recent world financial crisis and economic meltdown had left nations across the globe with no option but to depend on high frequency economic data. And herein lies the crux of our problem. Some planners have gone to the extent of saying some people use research much like a drunkard uses a lamp-post: for support and not for illumination. Research should however be used to provide insights into existing realities, thus helping to build firm foundations for future plans. With the plethora of reports, surveys, expert opinion and research data released, unveiled, announced or presented every day of every given week, one wonders how much effort is going into making sense of all the numbers and figures being bandied about by “experts”? More importantly, is there anyone in a position of influence or any organisation that is making some sense of the emerging landscapes formed by the complementary, contradicting, convergent or divergent research, information, data and “expert” commentary? Research is much like the fuel required to create workable ideas and, as such, it should be seen as a means to the end and not an end in itself. Equally important is the need to now find and create research databases. This will assist our decision makers to strike a common ground, a point where the different spectrums of data and opinion form a single stream of light that will guide future decision making and hopefully spur gainful socio-political and economic change in the country.
TBL – Prefinancing farmers for the 2011 barley crop
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Kilimo Kwanza: Govt criticised
By Makuna Chirimi
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COVER STORY
embers of Parliament (MP’s) have faulted the government on its implementation of the Kilimo Kwanza (agriculture first) green revolution. Presenting a TSH 12trillion outline budget before parliament late last week, the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon Mustafa Mkulo announced that agriculture, now exemplified by Kilimo Kwanza, is a key focus area - or rather, one of 12 areas of focus. He mentioned the 12 development priorities as Education, Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing, Energy, Infrastructure for transport, Industrial development, Health and Water. Others are Lands, Housing and Human Settlements, Human Resources Development, Science and Technology, development of Financial Services. Cross cutting issues like environmental preservation, good governance, gender development and HIVAIDS are also covered. In their contributions, legislators criticized the government for attempting to cover broad issues instead of concentrating on key, achievable goals.
They also advised the government to come up with at least five manageable priorities, instead of rushing to implement many programmes with inadequate financial resources. The MP’s also took particular issue with the current implementation of Kilimo Kwanza, with Ilala MP, Hon Mussa Azzan Zungu warning that self interests were threatening to turn Kilimo Kwanza into an unachievable pipe dream. Dr Hamis Kigwangwala (NzegaCCM) advised the government to improve the industrial and agricultural sectors, questioning the fate of some 3,000 graduate agricultural extension officers that are still unemployed. Other legislators commented that current indications are that Kilimo Kwanza has failed. They expressed concern on the current pressure for farmers to purchase power tillers, terming the mechanization drive as a project filled with personal interests. They challenged the government to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy, saying that promoting the application and supply of power tillers alone was questionable. Introduced as a cost effective alternative to tractors in effort s to mechanize agriculture, power tillers have
been received with mixed feelings across the board. At the moment the country has an estimated 8,000 working tractors and yet it needs at least 20,000 working tractors to achieve the goals of agricultural self sufficiency stated under Kilimo Kwanza. However government plans to import 2,000 tractors annually to mull the shortfall have also been scuttled by the inaccessibility of loans to farmers for purchase of the machinery. Since its launch in August 2009, government commitment to Kilimo Kwanza has remained open to critique and interpretation. Some pundits have lamented on the slow pace of implementation of the strategy, noting that as far back as 2003 the government committed to its increase budget allocation to agriculture to 10% by 2008. However the current allocation remains at 7%. Others argue that the government has yet to show real financial commitment to Kilimo Kwanza. They say that the cash being offered as agricultural loans is simply a portion of what was returned by the alleged “looters” of the infamous External Payment Arrears (EPA) account. Some point out that in preparing the current 2010/2011 budget, the government reneged on an earlier promise
made to farmers that it would reduce farm gate produce cess from 5% to 3%. In the reversal the government announced that the produce cess would be charged at between 3% and 5% of farm gate price to allow the Local Government Authorities impose rates based on the available resources. Farmers have often complained that the levy reduces eats into their earnings. In the 2011/2012 budget, the government aims to raise TSH 200.2 billion from Local Government Authority sources. An evaluation of the current 2010/2011 budget however shows that most of the changes that were made to the VAT Act were consistent with the government’s announced intention of improving agriculture. These changes ranged from exemptions to zero-rating and special reliefs. Whether these changes resulted in the positive changes that were envisioned by the government is a different matter that is still up for discussion. Sunflower farmers for example toasted the zero-rating of the supply of locally produced edible oil, produced from local oil seeds. The promotion of livestock farming with proposed tax exemptions on animal feed / seed cake, a by-product of oil seeds like sunflower
was also a positive highlight. Have sunflower farmers reaped full benefits? The milk industry has also been in the spotlight with the recent government ban on raw milk exports, an unexpected halt that was received mixed reactions across the milk sector. Milk farmers were in the news complaining that the ban had cut a lucrative source of income. Local milk processors cautiously lauded the move but urged the government to support local investment in the industry. The government has already exempted VAT on machinery and equipment used in the collection, transportation and processing of milk products. This was an extension of exemptions to promote investment in the dairy subsector and improve farmers’ income. Milk and juice producers were supposed to gain from exemptions on the supply of packaging materials for milk products and fruit juices. Have these gains been achieved? Why are local processors still complaining? The 2010/11 budget also offered special relief status on the supply of veterinary equipment to registered veterinary practitioners and on artificial insemination breeding services. This, it was hoped, would boost the developContinues page 8
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Dawasa - Responding to the Urban Water Challenges
Wallace Mauggo Editor
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It is high time we put research to better use
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 22 March, 2011
7 To have your organisation promoted in Kilimo Kwanza, Call: 0787 571308, 0655 571308 0754 571308
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Tuesday 22 March, 2011
POLICY
Dual carriage railway an infrastructure boost for Kilimo Kwanza
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By Miki Tasseni
ROPOSALS for the construction of a dual carriage railway, of a standard gauge which is nearly twice the traditional railway gauge inherited from the German and British railways, is a potential new axis for agriculture. While the focus of the railway plan is regional integration and easing import-export activity for neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Burundi, it is unquestioned that Tanzania’s stake is also quite high in that proposal. For once, if implemented, it would help resolve the railway system chaos here. The significance of railways has usually not been appreciated enough for agriculture but rather for industries, since there is greater bulk in industrial production than in farming.
However railways make a keen difference as quite often it passes in hinterland areas with no road connections that are close enough or with reliable frequency of vehicles, and road transport is habitually expensive. Only rail transport affords rural dwellers a less costly way of moving around and moving bulky goods, and for government, lessening costs all over. For instance it is unthinkable that commercial agriculture in crops like sisal at the time of independence would have reached great heights without the Tanga railway line. The thrust right now is for the central line development corridor, but if a private sector method was taken up, in terms of actual privatization and placing stocks of railway companies on the stock exchange, no reason exists for not financing a new railway by that method. It could also cross the
Serengeti above the ground or underground, more easily. Agriculture needs to be taken up with alleviating poverty, in which case there is need for ways of moving goods destined for rural areas by less costly means of transportation, which unavoidably means railways. It is often said that it is cheaper to deliver a ton of flour from New York to Arusha than from Mbeya to Arusha, and the key issue is the cost of transportation, since bulk shipping with bulk railway transport lessens costs. When only road transport is available, no margin of cutting on prices to sell more is available. When industries can move materials in bulk from factories on the edges of the country to sell in rural areas and the latter can move goods and people at will to urban areas and back, fighting poverty starts becoming feasible. In a global environment where prices rise
selectively and fall for many other commodities, a component of technology use in the farming system without cheapened transportation makes fighting poverty difficult. Lack of a good railway system is a key input to high cost of living. At the time that the idea was first mooted to build a railway from Dar es Salaam to the Zambian town of Kapiri Mposhi, the more salutary reflections concerned the potential for the southern highlands region to become an industrial complex. It was thought that the iron and coal complex in Liganga and Kiwira areas in particular offered ground for inward looking industry, and agriculture was seen in terms of the rise of heavy industry and ‘backward linkages’ to take raw materials or forward linkages to supply equipment. The problem wasn’t agriculture per se but the dynamic
factor was seen to be industry. That situation obviously did not materialize, part of the problem being the non-existence of an industrial orientation per se, and with socialism in vogue at that time, no sources of credit or investment existed for the purpose. It was a regional cooperation project to offset diktat of political powers in control of Beira and Durban ports for Zambian imports – in which case it was more or less sufficient that copper was being transported to the port of Dar es Salaam. Issues like easing transport for peasants were clearly secondary. A similar situation can be said to be existing, not in the sense of any such political powers that the new railway plan is being conceived to divert goods from their control, but rather in constituting the railway idea within the regional transportation framework. The income or cost of living dividend might come up in a feasibility study and even in presidential remarks, but it is hard to see it as a guiding sort of orientation, for the simple reason that the idea is a public sector venture. Private capital is sought for financing, not for business. While the pivotal countries at the start of improving the railway are the two small countries, the fact that Congo DRC also wishes to come on board makes a keen difference, as it makes the railway project become even more viable than at first. The problem really is not likely to be with the three neighbouring countries but rather with Tanzania. Right from the start the tone taken by President Jakaya Kikwete was clear, that the four countries can only agree on the project if it is private-sector driven. By anchoring the railway construction plan firmly in the private sector, it might be possible for the government, or rather the president, to rein in some of the more implacable prerogatives of the parastatal and regulatory system. Already there are measures being undertaken in that direction though only at budding stages. When the legislature starts becoming a problem-solving caucus rather than a ‘blame chamber’, perhaps the right sort of legislation could be prepared to facilitate the new railway plan. When the business part of a railways infrastructure is examined, it is quickly noticed that it works best when it is placed in the private sector with major financing agencies raising capital from the right sources, not loans. This isn’t the current orientation of policy, with Minister for Finance Mustafa Mkulo still running errands assigning from credit rating agencies to give a rating for Tanzania, and it was heard that a ‘B’ grade was obtained. At the same time the state record for privatepublic partnership contracts is rated ‘E’ at best. That is why both the railways idea, how it should be taken up and how far it will really be a key input to transforming rural economic activity and poverty alleviation is work that still has to be done. The current approach is still mercantile – tied to transporting goods from Burundi and Rwanda via the port of Dar es Salaam, and some sort of private sector pursuit of capital being suggested in some unclear manner. Were it part of far reaching program of liberalization, denationalization of infrastructure and support for Kilimo Kwanza it then it starts to make business sense.
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 22 March, 2011
POLICY
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EWURA to monitor boreholes, tankers
THE Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) is in final preparations of setting regulations for private water suppliers in the country in order to ensure consumers get safe and clean water. Service providers to be included in the latest regulatory move by EWURA are operators of water tankers and commercial private boreholes, who until recently have been enjoying unregulated trade regime. Implementation of the new regulations will start with Dar es Salaam as a pilot area, after which it will be replicated into other areas across the country. The new bid is in line with this year’s Maji Week theme, which is "Water for Cities: Responding to Urban Challenges with activities aiming to communicate messages on Growing urban water and sanitation demand, increased pollution from municipal and industrial discharges, Climate change and its foreseen risks and challengers, Over-exploitation of available water resources and better targeting of urban poor." The Director of Water and Sewerage Services, Eng. Mutaekulwa Mutegeki said recently that already a draft of guidelines for boreholes and water tankers in Dar es Salaam has been prepared by EWURA in consultation with Dar es Salaam Water Services Company (DAWASCO), Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. “The Draft Guidelines will soon be discussed by stakeholders after which rules will be prepared. We will start with Dar es Salaam region as a pilot area, and replicate it in other urban areas,” he said. According to the Director, the draft guidelines will govern the supply of clean and safe water by
water tanker operators and commercial private borehole operators in such areas where there is a limited or no supply of clean and safe water by licensed water suppliers like DAWASCO. The guidelines, among other things, describe the procedures for the registration and deregistration of water tanker operators, as well as commercial private borehole operators, and obligations of both operators, DAWASCO and EWURA. “Furthermore, the guidelines describe the obligations of water tanker operators, commercial boreholes operators, DAWASCO and the Authority,” emphasized Eng. Mutegeki. According to the guidelines, the operators will be required to register themselves with DAWASCO, and could be de-registered as well if they violate the rules. They will also be required to observe cap price that will be set by EWURA as well as technical requirements of boreholes and water tankers. Tanker operators would be required to “disinfect water tanker every six months or any time contamination of a water tanker has occurred and shall forthwith after such disinfection, obtain a disinfection certificate from DAWASCO” the guidelines reads in part. It also adds that operators would also be required to keep at a conspicuous place a certified copy of a valid disinfection certificate issued by DAWASCO. Likewise, on an annual basis, borehole operators would also be required to carry out and report water quality tests regarding PH, turbidity, faecal coliforms, fluoride, iron, manganese and salinity to DAWASCO. They will also be asked to keep records of the quality and quantity of water pumped from the Borehole on monthly basis.
DAWASA - Responding to the Urban Water Challenges
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By Staff Reporter
AWASA - Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority, aims to be an efficient organization that delivers high quality water and sewerage services, through good management, integrity and commitment to customers. The authority fulfils its obligations of providing safe, reliable and affordable water and sewerage services with transparency, efficiency and sustainability. DAWASA is the owner and capital investor of the water infrastructure utilized by commercial operators like the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Company (DAWASCO). Tanzania’s landmass is approximated at 945,000 square kilometers. Of this Dar es Salaam covers 1340 sq km. An estimated three million people live within the city limits. DAWASA is responding to the challenge of providing clean, safe and reliable water to the city. Commitment to customer service has seen DAWASA implementing the four-phased, four-year, Community Water Supply and Sanitation Program (CWSSP). Municipal implementation of the projects was done in partnership with nongovernment organizations; Water Aid in Temeke District, CARE International in Kinondoni District and Plan International in Ilala. The three main phases of the project address the challenges of drought and water shortage, the second addresses the challenge of supplying water to poor communities and the third targets communities that have never gotten access to
clean and safe water. For sustainability, says Neli Msuya (pictured), The Community Liaison Manager of DAWASA, the project is hinged on firm community involvement from project inception to commissioning. The project aims to bring water and sanitation services closer to everyone, especially those in the lower income bracket. These are the most susceptible to water-borne disease epidemics. The huge reduction in cholera epidemics in previous hotspots like Mbagala, Temeke, Kigogo, Manzese, Kawe and Mwananyamala residential areas is evidence of the ever growing success in provision of clean, safe and reliable water to the most vulnerable communities. DAWASA extends its gratitude to all individuals, groups, organizations and private companies that have responded to the challenge of providing clean and safe water to all. There is water shortage, but that is a challenge facing cities across the globe. In responding to this challenge, DAWASA has among other things, (drilled) over 200 across the city, and even often in far flung areas like Nyang’andu. One well is enough to support up-to 5000 people, but urban population growth sometimes results in over 20,000 people sharing the water. “We aim to have enough water across Dar es Salaam by (2013). It is a challenge, but one that we strive to achieve,” the Authority’s Community Engineer, Lydia Ndibalema says. Budget constraints aside, the challenging search for new water sources and expansion of existing infrastructure also continues. The new
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The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
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Tuesday 22 March, 2011
MAJI WEEK
DDCA – Responding to the challenge by providing water drilling services
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By Staff Reporter
The role of DDCA is to develop sustainable and safe water sources through efficient means and at cost effective price. This objective is in line with the national objective of alleviating poverty and improving the health of people through provision of clean, safe, and adequate water supply to rural and urban population. OUR SERVICES: We offer services that are value for money to a wide range of customers; Individuals, Institutions, industries, local government authorities, community based organizations (CBO’ s), NonGovernmental Organizations (NGO’ s), Government Institutions, International Organizations etc. Services offered by the Agency include the following:• Topographical survey, soil testing and designing of earth fill dams. • Ground water prospecting using modern state of the art
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technology. Drilling operations, measuring yield of water wells and laboratory analysis for water quality. Soil sampling to monitor underground formations (lithology) Installation of pumping systems (e.g. Diesel, solar or electric driven submersible pumps, hand pumps etc). Service, maintenance and rehabilitation of boreholes. Construction and rehabilitation of earth fill dams. Construction of small scale water supply schemes. Training of caretakers on management of community water wells and dams. Training of caretakers on maintenance of hand, electric and solar pumps both surface and sub-surface. Hire of heavy plants and service vehicles. Threading and slotting of UPVC casings Provision of consultancy services.
OFFICE LOCATION: UBUNGO, OFF UNIVERSITY RD.
CONTACTS: DRILLING AND DAM CONSTRUCTION AGENCY, P. O. BOX 55658, DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA.
TELEPHONES: +255-22-2410430/ 22 2410299 FAX: +255-22-2410430 E-MAIL: ddca@maji.go.tz WEBSITE: http//www.ddca.tz.com
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The Drilling and Dam Construction Agency (DDCA) is a Government Executive Agency under the Ministry of Water. It was formally established in January, 1997, under the Government Executive Agencies Act No.30 of 1997, and was launched on the 26th of March 1999. DDCA is a leading organization in the country in providing services that access to water sources. We offer services that are value for money to a wide range of customers, Individuals, International and Local Institutions, Industries, Local Authorities, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), Government Institutions, etc
ater is an ever growing concern for the people of Tanzania and across the developing world. Shortage of surface water has necessitated the exploitation of underground water sources by drilling of boreholes. Having acknowledged the escalating problem of water quality and availability, the government under the Civil Service Reform Program transformed into executive agencies selected organizations to carry out essential public functions. One such agency that resulted of these government reforms is the Drilling and Dams Construction Agency (DDCA). DDCA was created under the auspices of the then Ministry of Water and Livestock Development, which has now been renamed the Ministry for Water Development and Irrigation. The firm is Tanzania’s sole agency that deals with the development of water resources including drilling of water wells and construction of earth-full dams to sustainably allocate available water resources for different uses in the country. DDCA was established in 1997 under the Executive Agencies Act. No. 30 of 1997, and was launched on the 26th of March 1999, (though it had been in operation since 1997). The role of the firm is to develop sustainable and safe water sources through efficient means and at a cost effective price, hence contributing to economic growth of the country. The objectives are in line with the national objective of poverty alleviation and improving the health of the people through provision of clean, safe and adequate water supply to rural and urban populations. DDCA is among the first Executive Agencies established with a view to ensure that water is supplied throughout the country through boreholes especially in remote areas where the supply is scarce. Specific objectives of the organization are to locate and develop safe and sustainable water sources through drilling of deep wells and construction of dams to increase water availability for different socio-economic uses. DDCA also aims to provide reliable, timely quality and affordable services to rural, urban and peri-urban populations. Boreholes form a majority of the estimated thousands of water projects that have been initiated in rural Tanzania. DDCA has successfully carried out a number of water projects in the country, among these being actual boreholes drilling, feasibility studies, topographical surveys, design and construction of dams and water supply systems. A typical example of a modern rig trucks owned by Drilling and Dam Construction Agency based in Dar es Salaam. The trucks are used for drilling boreholes. The Agency has highly qualified and experienced personnel including, Geologists, Hydro-geologists, Drilling engineers, land surveyors, and civil engineers in fields related to water resources development and management. For efficiency the DDCA’s experts undertake ground water prospecting using modern state-of-the-art technology, drilling operations, measuring yield of water wells and laboratory analysis for water quality, and soil sampling to monitor underground water formations (lithology). Other services offered are the installation and user training of pumping systems like hand, diesel, solar or electric driven submersible pumps and surface pumps. DDCA also provides training of caretakers on management and maintenance of community water wells and dams.
DDCA now drills over 450 boreholes annually, compared to an average of 50 to 100 which were drilled by the government annually prior to formation of the agency. Countrywide statistics show that over 5,450 boreholes have been successfully drilled by the firm in the last twelve years of its existence. For the 2008/09 financial year, the firm drilled a total of 443 boreholes, out of these 380 boreholes were productive while about 63 failed to strike water. DDCA also partners with international development organizations to establish water projects in rural Tanzania. Statistics from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Water indicate that 53 percent of rural areas and 73 percent of urban populations have access to clean water. Demand for water increases in tandem with increased human population, industries and irrigation schemes. The negative impacts of low water supply primarily affect the urban and rural poor who pay high prices to water vendors for small quantities of, sometimes, poor quality water. In rural areas, low water supply coverage manifests itself in low agricultural production and poor quality of life. DDCA provides services to all people in urban areas without marginalizing the poor, including those who are unable to pay for construction work. Records show that about 90 percent of deep wells drilled by DDCA are located in rural areas. In urban areas, ground water sources are rapidly developed for individuals and institutions to meet the increasing demand for water supply. The agency has proved equal to the task of constructing new and rehabilitating existing water sources at affordable costs in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The firm has acquired from the government capital assets, which includes operational drilling rigs and earth moving equipment. DDCA is also proud to have constructed a number of new dams as well as rehabilitating old ones. The Mugumu dam project for example will solve the problem of water scarcity in and around Mugumu town, the headquarters of Serengeti District in Mara region. With a storage capacity of about 14 million cubic meters, the Mugumu project can now serve more than 35,000 residents and about 25,000 livestock for 3 consecutive years incase of prolonged drought. Mwanyahina dam (1.5 million cubic meters) in Meatu village of Shinyanga region is another project that the agency is proud of. The Kinyambwinga project in Bunda district of Mara region, whose construction provided water to nearly 3,900 people and 44,640 livestock and the 4.2m cubic metre new Sola dam at Maswa town that was rehabilitated and serves more than 65,000 residents and 100,000 livestock are other examples of DDCA’s determination to reach distant communities. The DDCA also supports private borehole drilling like the Arusha based A to Z Textile Mill water project which will ensure year round water sufficiency to increase industrial productivity. The mill produces long lasting mosquito nets that check the spread of malaria. This project included the drilling of three deep and sustainable water boreholes with a production capacity of about 270 cubic meters per hour each, and the construction of water tanks and supply pipelines. Set service delivery standards that ensure quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness and strong customers focus are mainstays of the DDCA. The agency aspires to be the leading and most efficient organization in and outside the country in water well drilling and the construction of water storage dams. The company is committed to proving clients with value for money services.
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
Tuesday 22 March, 2011
MAJI WEEK
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By Staff Reporter
TBL – Prefinancing farmers for the 2011 barley crop
ARLEY farmers in the Northern and Southern highlands of Tanzania have received a much needed boost.
The Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) has set aside TSH 2billion for pre-financing of barley farmers in the two regions. Through TBL “Project Saidiana,” inspired by the Kilimo kwanza initiative, the company is also extending malt farming in selected regions. Areas of the country that currently supply malt to the firm include Kilimanjaro West, Karatu, Iringa, Sumbawaga and Mbeya, with Moshi to soon join suit. This follows ever declining production volumes that have dipped from 6,000 metric tonnes in year 2000 to only 2500 tonnes last year in the Northern region alone. The shortfalls have caused the small scale growers to fail to meet their contracts with the beverages firm. The malt barley plant in Moshi will supply TBL’s brew plants in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza to save the firm from importing its malt. At the moment the TBL is importing malt barley from South Africa to cover the current deficit in the country. TBL’s Malt Plant Manager Vitus Mhusi said that the firm has extended malt farming in the country to meet the high demand of the crop. “Along with the challenge of malt farming, the shortage of rainfall has contributed a lot to the falling quantity and quality of malt. We are providing assistance to the growers to see that quality is improved,” TBL’s Malt Quality Manager Alex Msuya is quoted as saying. Of the 43 farmers who are seeking pre finance assistance from TBL, 36
A group of barley farmers from Southern Highlands of Tanzania discussing with Mr. Benjamin Budigila - Technical brewer- TBL (far right) during a recent visit by the farmers to the TBL brewery plant in Dar es Salaam farmers (84%) will receive financial assistance to the total budgeted amount. Those farmers who did not qualify for
financial assistance from already owe the brewery money for financial assistance in previous years. “Eleven farm-
ers from the Northern highlands region will receive TSH 548million. Each farmer will be treated individually for
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the setting of pre finance limits,” a statement from the firm also said. According to the leading alcoholic beverages firm, the total budget set aside for pre financing of the barley farmers in the Southern Highlands is over TSH 1.4/- billion. Twenty five farmers in the south have been approved for pre financing. In some cases the company will extend the standard pre finance arrangements of pre financing only fertilisers and chemicals, to now include financial assistance in soil preparation, planting and harvesting activities. Most of the farmers in the south will benefit from this extended pre-financing. A few individuals have also arranged their own pre financing whereas the newly formed co-operatives are being pre financed by Stanbic Bank. According to TBL’s Communication Manager Edith Mushi, the Project Saidiana has bought 6,600 metric tonnes of its 17,000 tonne quota of malt barley from small scale growers in Tanzania. TBL has also engaged 543 small growers in the North East regions and over 15,000 farmers in the Southern Zones. Since 2003, the TBL has also been paying 3% as barley cess. The decision to extend loans came as most of the farmers in the Southern Highlands are new to barley farming and as such faced bottlenecks in accessing regular bank loans. The TBL has also invested in extension officers who offer training to farmers. The company has advised farmers to use quality seed, pursue irrigation and to utilize advice given by agricultural extension services in order to register production success in coming seasons The funding comes as a huge boost to the country’s efforts in Kilimo Kwanza especially in the production of high value commercial crops.
Nabaki Afrika has been providing water solutions to Tanzania for almost two decades Our drinking water filters range from simple tap water filters (10 000/-) and table-top water filters (80 000/-) to modern reverse osmosis systems (from 500 000/- and up). These new water filtration systems can provide a home or hotel with as much as 600 litres of pure drinking water per hour. We supply a variety of water tanks and reservoirs, from 500 litres to 500,000 litres, to homes, hotels and lodges. Government agencies, such as the Tanzanian Ministry of Water, have purchased our reservoirs. We provide simple and cost effective irrigation systems that anyone at home could install. There’s no need for specialist technicians. Nabaki introduced the IPS threaded piping system into Tanzania during the 1990’s and remains the sole distributor. IPS piping is now the market leader and sells in hundreds of outlets throughout the country. Another advanced piping system, the PlomyClick ‘push-fit’ piping system, is a favourite amongst commercial users as it is the fastest system to install - you don’t require electricity or specialist tools. The piping is available in one hundred metre rolls and is able to bend around corners, so fewer fittings are required. We are also proud to introduce the Jaquar range of quality taps and bathroom accessories. These products are beautifully designed, are manufactured to British standards and sell at very competitive prices. Nabaki Afrika may be best known for its swimming pool expertise and we have sold over a thousand pools to homes and hotels. We have an extensive range of accessories and equipments for all pools and supply all the maintenance chemicals. Nabaki Afrika’s excellent reputation has been built by providing quality products that our customers trust.
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The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
From page 7
MAJI WEEK
Kidunda dam in Morogoro region for example will support water supply in periods of shortage along the Ruvu. The 260,000 cubic meter Kimbiji source, expansion of the daily intake capacities of both the Lower Ruvu (180,000 to 270,000 cubic meters) and Upper Ruvu (81,000 – 150,000 cubic metres) have also responded to the growing clean water needs. DAWASA also has in place water pipelines linking Kibaha with Kimara area and another linking the Lower Ruvu to the University of Dar es Salaam (Chuo Kikuu) area. Rehabilitation of the sewer system has been undertaken and extensions are underway to ensure that water flows from storm drains and rain water no longer seep into the sewer system. “Residents in some areas may notice increased flooding after rainfall. This is because the rain water no longer seeps into the sewer system. What is now needed is the rehabilitation of the water drains,” the engineer noted. Future development plans include the building of sewer and water treatment plants at Jangwani, Mbezi and Kurasini areas. Neli further explains that DAWASA provides free water project management training which is reaping positive results across project areas. Training covers all aspects of the project from conception, community mobi-
DAWASA - Responding to the Urban Water Challenges
lization and choice of technology, project leadership, contractor supervision, water quality, operation, maintenance and financial management. Boreholes, water reservoirs and water kiosks are being better protected, maintained and run by the communities using the water sources. DAWASA extends a word of congratulations to all communities, individuals, groups and companies for their efforts in maintaining, protecting and preserving water and sewerage infrastructure. Thanks to the project management training, community members know that water is a commodity that is sold and bought. Many people also know that it is a criminal offence to damage water fittings and public water appliances, and wrong to erect structures on any part of the water works. They are also beginning to learn that dumping garbage into sewer lines is not only counter productive, but also punishable by law. Many however forget that it is also an offense to pollute any part of the waterworks, including forested areas, water fountains, tunnels, pipes or dams. We all need to change our attitude towards water conservation and manage-
ment. Wells and underground water resources also draw their water supply from rivers. Underground water is a crucial in coastline cities like ours. “Underground water sources in many parts of Dar now produce saline water with different salt levels,” Engineer Ndibalema says. She however urges residents to change their negative perception of saline water because although it cannot be used for cooking and drinking, it is still good for other tasks like household chores and cleaning. However there are areas where underground water is unusable because it is polluted or excessively salty. In some the water has disappeared altogether. Environmental degradation, pollution and destruction of above the land water bodies like lakes and rivers are contributing factors to this increased salinity and even scarcity of underground water sources. The Msimbazi River Valley for example is choking under effluence and garbage. This should and could be a valuable water resource. As the urban population explodes, stretching city limits, human settlements are
now encroaching on crucial water catchment areas. As a key first step in environmental conservation, DAWASA supports tree planting projects by community groups like Kingalu Urithi Wetu na Maendeleo of Morogoro and actively participates in environmental conservation. DAWASA also supports urban farming, albeit indirectly. There are many agricultural projects across the city that benefit from clean water provided by DAWASA. These include chicken and livestock rearing projects in far flung areas like Kitunda. “We carried the mantle of Kilimo Kwanza directly when the irrigation mandate was still under the Ministry for Water,” Neli said. She cautioned against using piped water for irrigation. Wholesome attitude change towards water use habits and conservation still pose the greatest challenge to sustainable water management. We all should carefully examine our water habits and discover our own ways of conserving this precious yet limited resource. In those instances for example, where the use of clean tapped water can be replaced by underground water or water sourced from other sources like rain water, there should be no hesitation to switch to these alternatives. This will ensure that the trickle reaches the next person, and that clean and safe water remains readily available for forthcoming generations.
Kilimo Kwanza: Govt criticised From page 3
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Tuesday 22 March, 2011
ment of improved and commercially viable breeds of cattle. The Preliminary National Sample Census of Agriculture and Livestock report claims significant progress in the livestock sector, with a reported increase in the number of cattle to 22 million. Unveiled by the Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Prof Jumannne Maghembe last week, the report among other things notes that 97.2 per cent of cattle in the country are local breeds, where only 2.4 per cent are used for dairy and 0.3 per cent for beef production. According to sample census the number of local breeds of cattle increased by 20 per cent on the mainland but decreased by 3.7% in Zanzibar. With the current outlook, has the support for artificial insemination and veterinary services resulted in improved livestock breeds? Currently Tanzania has the third largest herd in the continent but the livestock sector contributes only 4 per cent to the GDP. In the current budget, the government also introduced several additional VAT and customs duty reliefs. Large plantations for example were supposed to gain from exemptions on transportation of agricultural products which would reduce their current VAT burden. There was also a reduction in excise duty on heavy fuel oil, the plan being to eliminate this duty over three years, which would have provided a shot in the arm for diesel dependent processors and transporters. The exemptions on agricultural implements like combine harvesters, mowers and hay making machinery were also not new as most of these items are already exempt. However to date, importers of such machinery continue to face customs and tax gridlocks. The overriding impression in agriculture is that tax relief appear to have little effect or no effect on overall sector performance. With this in mind, coupled with ongoing developments across other sectors of the economy, it is of little surprise therefore that legislators demanded to know why the government is ‘throwing away’ billions of shillings in tax exemptions, while depending massively on donors to finance the budget.
KILIMO KWANZA DIRECTORY
WATER AND SANITATION
Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) – Tel: +255 22 276 0006
Dar es Salaam Water and Sewarage Corporation (DAWASCO) Tel: +255 22-2131191/4 Drilling and Dam Construction Agency (DDCA) Tel: +255 22 2410430/2410299 Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority Tel: +255 22 2123850, 22 2123853 Water and Environmental Sanitation Projects Maintenance Organization (WEPMO) Tel: +255 22 2410738, 716 099959 Ministry of Water Tel: +255 22 245 1448
INDUSTRY SUPPORT AND ASSOCIATIONS
Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) – Email: dg@sido.go.tz, info@sido.go.tz ANSAF - P.O. Box 6370, Dar es Salaam CNFA - info@cnfatanzania.org
Tractors Limited Cells: +255 784 421606, 786 150213
Consolidated Holdings Corporation (CHC) Tel: 255 (022) 2117988/9 Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) – Tel: +255 22 2863683/2863409 Export Processing Zones in Tanzania (EPZ) Tel: +255 22 2451827-9 Agricultural Economics Society of Tanzania (AGREST) – Tel. +255-23 260 3415
Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) Tel: +255 22 2122984-6 Tanzania Agriculture Partnership (TAP) Tel: +255 22 2124851
Tanzania Milk Processors Association (TAMPA) Tel: +255 222 450 426
Rural Livelihood Development Company (RLDC) Tel: +255 26 2321455 Tanzania Cotton Board Tel: +255 22 2122564, 2128347
Horticultural Development Council of Tanzania (HODECT) Cell: +255 789 222 344; Fax: +255 27254 4568 TATEECO Ltd – Tel: +255 784 427817 AGRO-PROCESSING ERTH Food - Tel: +255 22 2862040 MUKPAR Tanzania Ltd Tel: +255 28 250038/184
ASAS Diaries Limited - Tel: +255 26 2725200 Tanga Fresh – Tel +255 27 2644238 NatureRipe Kilimanjaro Limited Tel: +255 22 21 51457 EQUIPMENT Gurudumu Tatu Limited Tel: +255 22 2865632 / 2863699
National Service Corporation Sole (SUMAJKT) Cell: +255 717 993 874, 715 787 887 FINANCE Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) Tel: 023-3752/3758/3765 Community Bank Association Tel: +255 22 2123245
Bank of Tanzania P.O. Box 2939, Dar es Slaam, Tanzania AGRO-INPUTS Minjingu Mines & Fertilizers Ltd Tel: +255 27 253 9259 250 4679