cases from tanzania - Sustainet

4 Agricultural policy in Kenya and Tanzania
Sustainable agriculture solutions Sustainable agriculture is promoted mainly by NGOs,
which are well experienced in helping farmers to form groups and to shift from conventional
to sustainable agriculture. Many NGOs have started to move into improving market links
and adding value. This integrated, holistic approach is successful and sustainable – as shown
in this book. They could provide a model for improving the extension services.
Policy changes needed The government should recognize NGOs which successfully
deliver agricultural extension services as partners in the planning and implementation of
improved extension policies.
Market access in Tanzania
Case: PELUM (p. 85)
The problem Poor infrastructure (roads, transport, communication, electricity) makes
market access for small- and medium-scale farmers a problem. A lack of feeder roads complicates
the transport of inputs to villages and of farm produce to markets. Without public
transport, it is difficult for farmers to go to the markets. Poor communication infrastructure
(radio, television, telephone) results in a lack of market information. Many villages do not
have electricity, so they cannot process the output they produce.
Current policies “A well-developed and maintained rural infrastructure is essential for
agricultural growth and overall rural development. Communication and rural electrification
infrastructure is a pre-requisite for the development of agribusiness” (TASDS, ch. 8.2).
“Communication infrastructure has a key role in promoting information flows, whereas
electrification is important for agro-processing” (TASDS, ch. 8.3).
“The government will facilitate and support expansion of rural transport network and rehabilitation
of existing transport network so as to reduce transport costs. Government will
facilitate and support investments in other infrastructure for crops and livestock production,
marketing and processing. It will also encourage private sector investments and ownership
in processing facilitates” (TALP, ch. 3.2 C, p. 26).
“In order to strengthen the collection and monitoring of information the government will
place adequate statisticians in every district with necessary basic facilities including radio call
system, linked computer system, telephone and faxes” (TALP, ch. 3.3.1, p. 17).
Sustainable agriculture solutions Sustainable agriculture uses technologies that require
few outside inputs, so farmers need to buy fewer inputs from distant markets.
Farmers’ groups are an important facet of sustainable agriculture. They are involved not just
in production and conservation work, but also in purchasing inputs and marketing outputs:
a group of farmers can buy and sell jointly, so avoiding the middlemen and enabling them
to achieve economies of scale. Farmer groups can also form associations with each other,
and alliances with other groups focusing on rural issues, further increasing their bargaining
power and their ability to pressure the government to provide services.
Policy changes needed Cooperation is needed between NGOs and the government to
set up rural marketing centres. Policy promises to improve electricity, roads, transport, communication
and storage facilities must be fulfilled.
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