Agricultural Strategic plan - Kilimo

Declined demand for primary commodities in global markets Brain drain Low staff motivation Unreliable weather condition Low private sector investment Weak law enforcement mechanisms Negative perception towards agricultural activities as source of income.2.2.3 KEY ISSUESThe strategic plan for the 2008 -2010 period among other is set to address the following keyaspects: Weak extension and research services: MALE intends to address various weaknessesin the research and extension system through establishment of demand driven researchand Extension Services that are highly participatory in nature, carefully targeted to solvethe practical farmers’ problems. This will be done through initiation and supporting offarmer’s research groups and farmers’ field schools at various levels. Effort will also bemade to promote farmer to farmer extension method. Low quality products: MALE will encourage production of high quality crops, livestockand marine products and promote good post harvest handling practices to meet thestandard required to serve the need of tourist industry. Degradation of terrestrial and aquatic natural resources: The Ministry will continueto educate community on the conservation of both marine and terrestrial environment andmake use of existing community awareness to involve the community in combating theuse of destructive fishing gears and practices, and monitor the importation of fishingequipment. This effort will be complemented by strengthening regulatory and legislativesystem, effective monitoring, control, and surveillance system. The Ministry will alsopromote good land husbandry practices to prevent land degradation, soil erosion,depletion of water resources and deforestation. Natural resources management andenvironmental action plan will also be formulated, promoted and implemented incollaboration with other stakeholders. Inadequate access to credit facilities: Effort will be made to encourage the formationof rural saving and credit groups/associations to cater for the credit needs of smallholderfarmers, fishers and cooperators. The credit issue will also be an integral component formost of the future development projects formulated and implemented by the MALE. Land tenure system: Currently the Land Act No. 12 of 1992 is largely unknown to thepublic. This has negative implication on long-term investment in the sector. MALE willexert effort to make people aware of the existing laws especially those governing the landuse and ownership. Marketing System: The current marketing system for agricultural input and produce inZanzibar is riddle with various inadequacies, presently there is no formal commoditychain, The Ministry through ASSP and ASDP-L has made a special provision tocommence a comprehensive study to analyse the status of current agricultural marketingsystem and come-up with possible practical solution and way forward towards addressing13