The Guardian KILIMO KWANZA
8
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.