KILIMO KWANZA (AGRICULTURE COMES FIRST

Tanzania is a country after referred as a sleeping  giant richly endowed with natural resources ranging from gold, minerals and gemstones to abundant wildlife, fisheries and forests….to fertile land where crops of all varieties can be grown with minimal inputs and irrigation,

AGRICULTURAL

Agricultural production  and activities surrounding crop handling and distribution contribute nearly 40%  to GDP employing more than 80% of the work force.

Since agricultural is plays a dominant role in the economy, The United Republic of Tanzania government is committed to revitalizing the sector through crops mechanization, better extension services, a more conducive business environment and input subsides.

In 2008 a new crop mechanization department was created within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security do to foster new investment in agri-business and crop diversification.

This new initiative to empower farmers is called ‘KILJIMO KWANZA’ (Swahili word) meaning Agriculture comes first.. This initiative invites private companies (local and foreign) to work with government to unleash huge potential for growing cash and food crops, including crops for green fuel that encourage farmers not to use charcoal briquettes which leave a major carbon footprint including vast level of deforest ration.

In a country that is so well endowed there unique investment and trade opportunity The Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) created a incentive to attract investors to work with Tanzanians in building a strong agro industrial sector from fork to farm. One should work closely at establishing joint-venture partnerships. Banks will gain confidence if they see increased Investment in the agricultural sector.

Recently The government of Tanzania devolved fiscal responsibility for agricultural finance to local District Agriculture Officers (DALDOS) and farmers are free to present business proposals for financing and technical assistance. Today 90% of farming in Tanzania is conducted by small farmers. Using hand hoes, animals traction and ox-ploughs.

The Nation Poverty Reduction Strategy known as Mkakati wa Kupambana na Kuondoa Umaskini Tanzania (MKUKUTA) acknowledges agricultural modernization is a promo dial to poverty obviation and small scale substance farming must be transformed into large scale value industry that includes contract farming, agro-processing and farm gate to market linkages.

Land owners issues need to be clarified before farmers are truly empowered to run sustainable business. In addition more attention needs to be focused on value chain management within sub-sector including prevention of post harvest losses.

During the harvest season there are abundant crops that simply perish due to lack of cold storage and or distribution channels to market.

Therefore, opportunities are abound for the private sectors to fill gapes in supply chain. Moreover Tanzania is willing to provide attractive incentives in companies willing to invest in agriculture.

Note: This is not just for Kamachumu town we are talking about. This is

KAMACHUMU ENVIRONMENT CARE ASSOCIATION (KECA) for Tanzania          .