ACT attends to Land Tenure Security

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1 Issue No. 19. July Setember2014 ADVOCACY ISSUES: Land for agriculture Agriculture financing ACT attends to Land Tenure Security Produce Cess Availability of agricultural input Agricultural crops insurance African agriculture should be about growing farmers, growing nations, creating wealth and managing poverty not just. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development In Tanzania land to practice agriculture is not problematic. The problem is caused by irrational land allocation, uneven distribution of the population, greedy land grabbers, land mismanagement, and environmental disasters like floods and droughts. These phenomena are a source of regular conflicts of interest among stakeholders. The situation is compounded with land tenure disparities and insecurity. ACT has teamed up with some like-minded organizations to create a Land Policy Action Node. The goal of this node is to improve awareness of villagers and decision makers at the district level on the provisions of the Village Land Act No. 5 of This team is commissioned to convene community workshops to collect relevant information regarding land titling processes. A study on experiences of land titling was conducted in three pilot districts (Mbozi, Wanging ombe and Kilombero). The concept behind this exercise is to establish a threshold at which farm sizes can achieve maximum production given the basic agricultural inputs. Positive results will be duplicated in other areas. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : ACT attends to Land Tenure Security BEST-AC support is beefed up ACT at the National Farmers Week Group picture of workshop participants, at Isangu ward, Mbozi District Briefing about the Agribusiness Congress East Africa TAPP II in the offing KILIMO KWANZA AGRICULTURE FIRST

2 P A G E 2 BEST-AC support is beefed up On 15th August 2014 ACT attended a meeting in BEST-Dialogue (former BEST-AC) office to deliberate about the new approach in funding advocacy issues. Apart from ACT, other beneficiaries of this fund are: ANSAF, TTC, TAMPA, TAHA, TCCIA and others. Starting from January 2015, BEST-Dialogue will provide Support Block Grants to Umbrella Organizations for specific and agreed purposes. Great attention will be given to lobbying, advocacy and communication. The use of high technology in agricultural production is the answer to increased production. The proposal is that an organization or institution will receive fund to cater for a specific issue. For example: ACT TTC : Crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry and beekeeping. : Natural resources and tourism industry. ANSAF : Cooperatives and agri-businesses We can win the battle of eradicating poverty and hunger. At that meeting, it was suggested the beneficiaries should meet to put in place an annual calendar of activities. Furthermore, the meeting emphasized a need to organize in-service courses for news reporters who are based in the districts. This initiative will enhance their performance. ACT at the National Farmers Week It is very possible to produce enough food for ourselves and have huge surplus for export to the outside world, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, The President of Republic of Tanzania For the past five years ACT has participated in the agricultural exhibitions commemorating the National Farmers Week, starting from 1st to 8th August. The venue for this annual event was Nzuguni grounds, Dodoma Municipality. This event is meant to acknowledge farmers contribution in fighting hunger, malnutrition and poverty among Tanzania citizens. This year ACT was at Tungi grounds, Morogoro Municipality. Its pavilion was a hub activities performed by farmers and agro-dealers from Kilombero, Kilindi and Muheza districts. Other partners were the SAGCOT Centre Ltd. and a prominent businessman from Mbeya Mr. George Mtenda. At display were samples of premium crops, agro-inputs (i.e. seeds, fertilizer and pesticides) and food commodities for sale. The pavilion attracted many visitors. Some of them made enquiries about new products and technologies, others were eager to conclude business deals. ACT was placed number two in the Service Providers Private Sector category. 2 ISSUE NO. 19

3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE NANENANE PICTORIAL EVENTS 3 ISSUE NO. 19 3

4 TAP II in the offing TAP I which ended last year was considerably successful. In the course of its implementation, we witnessed success stories, some failures and challenges. We also learned plenty of good lessons. Remarked Mark Magila, TAP National Coordinator. It is anticipated TAP II will start this year. Apart from expanding from 25 to 49 districts, this programme will incorporate more key actors in the private sector in order to upgrade the development of commercially oriented value chains. To achieve this objective, TAP senior staff is visiting potential private partners in some selected districts to discuss on the logistics for collaboration. This was done by way of interviews guided by the checklist. This exercise took them to some key partners like: Suba Agro Trading Co. Minjingu Mines and Fertilizer Ltd. Yara TAP is a partnership of relevant stakeholders. Every partner must contribute. It supports people to perform better. It does not do the work for them. Briefing about the Agribusiness Congress East On 26 August 2014 the organizers of the second Agribusiness Congress East Africa to be held on 28th and 29th January 2015, in Dar es Salaam, met with main stakeholders to discuss in detail about the upcoming event in detail and to explore the potential opportunities for international countries to invest further into East Africa. Another goal is to increase international trade between regions. Three main objectives of the briefing were: To understand this unique business model To meet with other investing countries onsite To meet the organizers and discuss potential opportunities Agribusiness Congress East Africa is a business-to-business and business-togovernment agriculture-focused event. It is a high profile event which brings key industry players, government officials, thought leaders and farmers of all scale together into one arena, to discuss future projects, product requirements and investment opportunities. At this occasion, ACT Vice Chairman, Prof. Andrew Temu, delivered an in-depth opening address. 4 ISSUE NO. 19

5 VISION To be the leading private sector apex organization, pursuing the prosperity of all Tanzania agricultural stakeholders. OBJECTIVES Strengthen ACT s evidence based lobbying and advocacy work on key policy issues impacting the agricultural sector. MISSION To be the most effective private sector apex organization pursuing a modernized and commercialized agriculture in Tanzania Strengthen ACT s ability to develop and deliver organizational, technical and management capacity programmes and services to ACT members. Increase members awareness of ACT s programmes, capacity building services, and financial resources, to retain at least 85 percent of members, while doubling membership base by Diversify financial resources enabling ACT to attain 20 percent budgetary sustainability by Editorial Board THIS IS TAP 1. Ms. Janet Bitegeko Board Chair 2. Mr. Mark Magila Member 3. Cleophas Rwechungura Member 4. Milly Sanga-Member Wish to know more about ACT? Please contact: Executive Director Agricultural Council of Tanzania P.O.Box 14130, Dar es Salaam Tanzania Agricultural Partnership TAP is an inclusive public-private-partnership, with partners at district, national and international levels. It started as a fertilizer fast track pilot project in 2006 in five districts. It was upgraded to a program in 2008, by expanding the area to 13 districts and since 2013 it has been operating in 29 districts, and responsibilities to include stimulating private sector investments and improving output market linkages. Major partners include: The Government of Tanzania, Norfund, YARA, AGRA, FIPS, CNFA/TAGMA, NMB, Bytrade, Minjingu Mines & Fertilizers, SUBA Agro and Tanseed International. TAP uses Value Chain approaches to enhance agricultural production and productivity and agri-businesses. It looks at the whole chain of commodities and provides the necessary support along the value chain. In collaboration with other partners, it facilitates accessibility of inputs (e.g. seeds, fertilizer, pesticides). TAP builds on existing structures and systems of other partners on the ground. The principle is to maximize utilization of local capacities, knowledge and resources. The ultimate goal is to improve technical skills and business practices of farmers, agro-dealers, and warehouse operators. TAP II ( ) is expected to operate in 45 districts. For details, contact: The National Coordinator Tanzania Agricultural Partnership Tel Fax act@actanzania.or.tz Website: P.O. Box 14130, Dar es Salaam Tel & tap@tapartnership.or.tz Website: TAP is responsible to ACT Board of Directors 5 ISSUE NO. 19