by Bayano Valy – SANF 05 No 109
The sides of the winding road from Dar es Salaam up to the mountainous region of Kilimanjaro is a picture of lush green fields of various cash crops – a testimony to Tanzania’s agricultural potential.
It is little wonder that 70 percent of all Tanzanians are employed in the agriculture sector.
But in 2004, this sector grew by only six percent over the previous year, and agricultural exports accounted for only 21.9 percent of total export earnings. By comparison, mining — propped up by gold — grew by 15.6 percent and it netted 78.1 percent of total earnings.
The decline in agriculture output is blamed on lack of innovation in the smallholder peasant sector which largely relies on production of food crops.
Agriculturists say that the peasant farmers do not follow basic agricultural procedures such as using suitable seeds and timely planting.
Furthermore, the small-holder farmers depend largely on rain-fed agriculture and most rely on human labour rather than mechanised production.
Clearly, what the country needs at present is to boost agriculture production levels by modernising the sector.
Ahead of the 14 December Union elections, Tanzanian political parties have been unveiling their agricultural policies to inject some dynamism to the sector.
In its manifesto, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) argues that agriculture is the basis of the country’s economy and vows to spare no efforts to modernise it. CCM says that by 2010 it should have modernised agriculture by 20 percent from current levels.
To achieve this, the revolutionary party intends to educate farmers on how to conserve soil and water; and encourage more non-governmental organisations to play a role in revitalising agriculture. More importantly, CCM will subsidise seeds, fertiliser and agricultural implements, as well as assist farmers in obtaining loans from banks.
In addition, CCM plans to scrap tariffs on agricultural equipment and encourage large-scale farmers to invest in the sector.
The ruling party wants to ensure that agriculture gets a share of more than 10 percent of national budget as agreed by the Southern African Development Community within the framework of the May 2004 Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security.
With very few differences, mainly of approach, opposition political parties also claim they will endeavour to boost agriculture output.
Modernising the sector should kick-start a green revolution in the country that will keep the gentle slopes up to Kilimanjaro a picture of lush green, and provide the peasant farmers with a steady and dependable income.
Although it is expected that CCM and its presidential candidate, Jakaya Kikwete, will win the 14 December poll, the outcome of the elections is likely to be decided on the basis of the party with the best policies to boost agriculture.
There are eight candidates vying for the presidential position, including a woman. Apart from Kikwete, other strong contenders for the presidential position are Freeman Mbowe of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo and Ibrahim Lipumba of Civic United Front.
