A Newsletter of the Agricultural Council of Tanzania

BOOSTING

IRRIGATED

FARMING

ACT ATTENDS

NEWALA

BUSINESS

FORUM

HIGH

POWERED

DELEGATE

VISITED ACT

PRELIMINARY

REPORT ON

PRODUCE CESS

A WORKSHOP

ON THE

AGRICULTURAL

LAND

ACT AT THE

SEED INDUSTRY

MEETING

ACT HOSTED A

DELEGATION

FROM NEW

ZEALAND

ACT FEATURED

AT THE G-8

MEETING

KILIMO KWANZA-Putting agriculture in the fore-front

We unite, we dialogue, we advocate

Issue No. 10.April—June 2012

In early April 2012, our Government made a deal with a first class

irrigation giant M/S Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd of India to promote

irrigation farming in Tanzania by providing technical and material

support. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives signed a

memorandum of understanding to that effect.

The Indian firm is technologically advanced in the management and

utilization of water. It is therefore imperative to capitalize on its wide

experience in irrigation agriculture which would facilitate the evolution

of irrigation by transforming medium and small–scale farmers into

modernized and commercialized players. This responds to the 9th pillar

of Kilimo Kwanza.

Boosting Irrigated Farming

ACT attends Newala Business Forum The Newala Private Sector Business Forum – popularly called ULINGO,

organized one day meeting which was attended by its members and

other stakeholders. This event took place on 22nd March 2012 in

Newala township.

Three main topics were presented:

Reporting on a study tour made by ULINGO team to Mueda

Province, Mozambique.

LIMAS plan to enhance performance of cashew farmer groups in

Newala district.

ACT presentation on its mission and role in the struggle to improve

the agricultural sector.

ACT participated in response to a request from ULINGO. This was

another opportunity to expand our exposure and consolidate the

relationship with partners.

INSIDE ISSUES

ACT at the seed industry

meeting ACT participated in a Seed Industry

Stakeholders Annual Meeting which was held

in Arusha on 27th April 2012. The objective

of this event was to discuss on development

strategies that will enable Tanzania to

become self-sufficient in quality seed supply

for internal and external market.

The meeting deliberated on various issues

pertaining to the development of the seed

industry in Tanzania, specifically strategies

to improve local seed production. Finally, the

participants endorsed the establishment of a

Seed Industry Development Fund. In this

regard, a task force was elected to oversee

the realization of the Fund. The meeting was

opened by then Minister for Agriculture,

Food and Cooperatives, Prof. Jumanne Ma-

ghembe, and was chaired by its Permanent

Secretary, Mr. Mohamed Muya.

Preliminary Report on Produce

Cess The Centre for Sustainable Development

Initiative – CSDI was contracted by ACT to

undertake a study on Cess Taxation System

in Tanzania related to agricultural produce.

It is hoped that this study will facilitate

ACT’s informed advocacy engagement on this

matter.

This assignment is expected to last for

approximately five months. A Preliminary

Report on the field findings was submitted by

CSDI Consultants on 4th. April 2012.

According to the contract, a final report will

be submitted in July / August 2012.

2 ACT NEWS—ISSUE NO. 10

ACT NEWS

A high power delegate visited

ACT On 20th April 2012, ACT hosted a delegation

composed of farmers from Eastern and Central

Africa. A visit to Tanzania was facilitated by the

Eastern Africa Farmers Federation EAFF based in

Nairobi, Kenya. This is a regional network of national

farmer organizations, national cooperatives and

commodity associations. ACT is a member of this

organization. The delegation was led by EAFF

President, Mr.Philip Kiriro.

The purpose of the visit, among other things, was:

To introduce the Organization to two relevant

Ministries: Agriculture, Food & Cooperatives and

East African Cooperation.

To have a discussion on Food Security issues, and

the Regional Compact and Agriculture Investment

Plan.

EAFF delegation together with ACT staff at ACT offices in Dar es salaam

Welcoming a delegation from New

Zealand

On April 16, 2012 ACT received a delegation

from New Zealand. It come for the design

mission aiming at improving the agriculture

sector in Africa. A key objective of the mission

is to detect one or two niche areas that New

Zealand agricultural expertise can make a

practical difference as well as opportunities

for direct commercial linkages.

The visitors acknowledged the key role ACT is

playing in the enhancement of the Tanzanian

agricultural sector. They also realized the

unlimited opportunities available in the

agricultural sector. The New Zealand aid

programme has modest resources to

support beef or dairy sector initiatives in

Tanzania.

A workshop on the agricultural land

In March 2012, Eastern Africa Farmers

Federation – EAFF organized a three days

meeting to deliberate on the availability of

agricultural land for big farmers and outgrowers.

The meeting was held in Nakuru, Kenya. Countries

represented were: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda,

Burundi, Congo-DRC and Tanzania. ACT was

represented by Mr. Devangwa Mmari and Mr.

Saidi Saidi.

The discussion was on how small farmers can

interact with large agricultural companies to

address the agricultural agenda. The key issue

was how big investors can cooperate with

smallholders to solve common challenges. EAFF

Secretariat was asked to record what was re-

solved and circulate the report to its mem-

bers and other stakeholders.

3 ACT NEWS—ISSUE NO. 10

ACT NEWS

ACT featured in the G-8

Meeting

In the mid-May 2012 ACT Executive Director

was among the team which accompanied

President Jakaya Kikwete to a meeting of the

Group of Eight major industrial nations, popularly

called the G-8.That meeting was hosted by the

USA President, Barack Obama at Camp David,

Maryland.

President Kikwete was invited to share with

other international leaders his experience in

strategic leadership to improve agricultural

production and productivity, as well as enhance

food security. The theme of the meeting was

“The State of Agriculture and Food Security". Tanzania is highly acknowledged for achieving

success in implementing agricultural programs,e.g.

ASDP,TAP and SAGCOT.

Visitors from the Meat Board

On 24th May 2012, a three man delegation from

the Tanzania Meat Board visited ACT to

introduce itself and see how to collaborate for

mutual benefit. The team comprised of Mr.

Kenneth McMillin, Livestock and Meat Marketing

Specialist, of the Farmer-to-Farmer Program,

CNFA, Mr. Jeremiah Temu, Livestock Officer,

Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries,

Mrs. Suzana Kiango, National Coordinator of the

Tanzania Meat Board.

The visiting team appreciated ACT’s role as a

lobbyist and advocator on behalf of the members

and stakeholders. In this regard, both sides

discussed challenges impeding the development

of the meat industry in Tanzania and how to join

hands to address them. The meeting identified

several areas where collaboration is required,

finally agreed to keep in touch.

•BEST-AC organized a training

f o r A C T s t a f f o n

Communication Skills & Methods

for Effective Advocacy.

It was facilitated by Indigo.

The venue was TPSF office,

Dar es Salaam .Dated

17th– 27th April 2012.

•ACT scheduled Board Meeting

met in Dar es Salaam on 28th

April 2012.

•ACT organized a media

roundtable on 4th May 2012 at

Blue Pearl Hotel, Dar es

Salaam. It was another

c h a n c e f o r A C T t o

e s t a b l i s h a c l o s e r

relationship with media people

in harnessing opportunities in

agricultural information.

•Three officials from ACT

Secretariat (Saidi Saidi,

Cleophas Rwechungura and Milly

Sanga) attended a three days

workshop on Knowledge

Management and Learning

14th -16th May 2012 in Nairobi,

Kenya.

•ACT Chairman (Mr. Salum

Shamte), the Executive

Director (Mrs. Janet Bitegeko)

and a member of the

organization (Mrs. Mary Liwa)

attended SACAU Annual

General Meeting which

took place in Madagascar

from 26th to 31st May 2012.

ACT NEWS

EVENTS

A farmer at his demonstration plot in Mbozi,Mbeya

One of the old warehouse reconstructed by TAP at

Mndepwende Namtumbo in Ruvuma

4 ACT NEWS—ISSUE NO. 10

Tanzania Agricultural Partnership – TAP is a unique initiative which came to being

in 2006. It started as a pilot project in five districts: Kilombero, Mufindi, Mbarali,

Mbeya Rural and Songea Rural. It was later upgraded to a programme envisaged to

cover 25 districts by the end of 2010.

TAP’s mandate is to facilitate smooth delivery of agricultural inputs, encourage the

best farming practices, improve output market linkages, and stimulate private sector

investment.

TAP focuses on a value chain development through public – private - partnerships.

Currently, it is concentrating on paddy and maize crops. The essence is to bring to-

gether different agricultural sector actors with a view to be more efficient, produc-

tive and profitable.

TAP is a development entity working under the guidance of the Agricultural Council

of Tanzania, and responsible to its Board of Directors. The Norwegian Government

is the main funder of its operations.

Contacts:

National Coordinator

Tanzania Agricultural Partnership

P. O. Box 14130,

Dar es Salaam

Tel: +255-22-2128032

KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT TAP

1. To unite and strengthen the private

organizations in agriculture for rapid

development including its modernization

and commercialization

2. To actively undertake participative and

consultative lobbying and advocacy role on

key private sector agricultural issues on

behalf of members and stakeholders

3. To promote, coordinate and protect the

interests of all stakeholders in the

agriculture and agribusiness in the

country

4. To enhance agriculture position in the

development of the country

ACT’s Missions

Do you need to be informed? Contact.

Executive Director:

Agricultural Council of Tanzania

P. O. BOX 14130, Dar es Salaam

TEL:255 22 2124851,

FAX: 255 22 2128032,

EMAIL: act@actanzania.org

WEB SITE: www.actanzania.org

To be the most effective private sector

apex organization pursuing a modern-

ized and commercialized agriculture

in Tanzania

ACT’s VISION

1. Ms. Janet Bitegeko—Board Chair

2. Mr. Mark Magila—Member

3. Mr. Saidi Saidi—Member

4. Mr. Cleophas Rwechungura—Member

5. Ms. Milly Sanga-Member

6. Ms. Catherine Evarist-Artist

Editorial Board

5 ACT NEWS—ISSUE NO. 10

ACT NEWS

TAP Field Operation Manager and Sumbawanga District

Coordinator inspecting a maize demonstration plot