cases from tanzania - Sustainet

Sustainable agriculture: A pathway out of poverty for East Africa’s rural poor
institutional framework to facilitate both local and international food trade which is fair to
both producers and consumers” (Tanzania agricultural marketing policy, ch. 4.1.1.2, p. 26).
“Earnings from… traditional export crops seem to have hit a barrier whose removal would
require a dramatic technological breakthrough change in production and equally revolutionary
improvement of world prices of these crops. These events are unlikely to occur even on the
long time horizon. However, the non-traditional export crops face formidable constraints
which include poor production organization, lack of appropriate technology (transport,
storage, processing and packaging) for handling them after production and disorganized
marketing system” (TALP, ch. 6.2.2, p. 35).
“The ministry shall establish a mechanism for quality control” (TALP, ch. 6.2.2, p. 36).
Sustainable agriculture solutions Sustainable agriculture produces for alternative markets
such as the organic market, where premium prices can be fetched. These markets are often
less protected, but may require expensive certification.
NGOs and farmers’ associations can lobby and provide information to the government about
sustainable agriculture solutions, and can form alliances with international organizations to
gain a strong voice in international meetings.
Policy changes needed The government should provide a level playing field for sustainable
agriculture. Current policies are advantageous to high-input conventional farming, which
makes sustainable agriculture more expensive and pushes it out of the market.
Extension services should promote sustainable agriculture and the systems needed to support
it, such as market information and certification processes. The government and private
sector should co-operate to promote organic products and seek ways to ensure reliable
markets for them. Organic farming for export should be included in training for farmers
and extension workers. Organic certification should be developed which is affordable, and
development agencies should promote cooperation among farmers so they can get certification
as organic producers.
At the international level, the government should lobby for a more conducive environment
for Tanzania’s small-scale farmers to export their produce.
Governance
Governance in Kenya and Tanzania
Cases: All in Kenya and Tanzania
The problem Poor governance has a direct impact on agriculture. It causes corruption,
instability and conflicts, which in turn restrict farm production and aggravate food insecurity.
It hinders production and trade. The lack of well-established governance structures creates an
unpredictable, costly and sometimes hostile environment for farmers, traders and processors.
Complex regulatory systems, licensing and permit-issuing procedures create obstacles for
honest actors and opportunities for dishonest ones, result in delays and bureaucratic ineffi-
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