Smallholder women farmers outline issues to consider in Agriculture

He said this year’s budget should strive to achieve the goals and commitments of the Malabo Declaration and the mission of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), which seeks to promote agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity. Africa’s policy framework. All.

Speaking at the recent CAADP BR Analysis and Advocacy meeting with Members of Parliament in Dodoma, he asked the Agriculture Minister to allocate sufficient budget so that the Malabo Declaration commitments can be adhered to. The announcement presents a holistic approach for governments to achieve better livelihoods through agriculture, with special emphasis on the role of small farmers.

Fredina, from Kishapu district in the Shinyanga region, said the government and the agriculture ministry should allocate a substantial budget for the agricultural research and extension system. He said that due to climate change many farmers are facing drought; They have also been affected by crop pests and diseases.

Researchers are unable to reach them due to the small budget to transport them to remote areas. Citing an example, he said there is acute shortage of extension services as one extension protects one ward or division and many are sick. He said that research on useful traditional seeds, their technologies; Affordable fertilizers and soil testing are also important areas to be considered in the budget.

He also pointed out that there is a need for research on the availability of markets. “Very little is known about suitable markets. The farmer may struggle to grow different crops but due to lack of reliable market the crop rots. Farmers with small holdings without better markets will never graduate from subsistence to commercial,” she explained.

Mbeya’s Frola Molwezi said the government should revive irrigation schemes and projects that have been abandoned so that smallholder farmers can conduct agriculture throughout the year.

“Agriculture dependent on rain will never grow. Farmers cannot secure loans from financial institutions as they do not have reliable income. Therefore, all these concerns should be considered in the coming budget, she said.

Pili Kuliwa of Kilwa district in the Lindi region urged the government to allocate more budget to nutrition issues, saying malnutrition is on the rise in many parts of Tanzania. He said the situation is not so good especially for children below five years of age.

“If we do not address the issues of malnutrition, we will have underdeveloped students and leaders to lead this country,” he said.

Representatives of civil society organizations such as Audax Rokonge from ANSAF, Joseph Senga from MVIWATA, Nicolas Lekule from Policy Forum, Mosolo Ondit from ForumCC, and Bakri Mongo from TOAM have collectively called on the government to increase the budget for the agriculture sector in accordance with the Malabo Declaration and CAADP. urged. ,

Earlier, Joram Vimo, Project Coordinator of ActionAid Tanzania, Expanded Project Coordinator for Public Investment Agriculture (SUPIA), explained that Tanzania has contributed to research, post-harvest losses, climate change, trade and intra-trade, and poverty. Progress has been made in areas, but advised that more efforts are needed to achieve the goals and commitments of the Malabo Declaration.

Giving the example of Rwanda, he said that the country has made progress in many areas which other countries should emulate.

Supia Constance OKK’s International Project Manager said that the BR report gives countries and governments an opportunity to progressively review the implementation of CAADP at the country level and continent level.

At the same time it is an opportunity to build data even with the impact of COVID-19, which has shown countries need to invest extensively on agriculture and food security, it also creates an opportunity to build resilience and ensure that Don’t starve people. Future.

He called upon the Members of Parliament to collectively push for better agricultural development.

Concluding the discussion with the farmers, the Vice President, Agriculture, Livestock and Water Almas Maige said that the Members of Parliament have taken into account the concerns of all the farmers and will present them to the Government for implementation.

Smallholder farmers pray that Monday’s agriculture budget fulfills their expectations and desired targets.

The analysis report was expected to trigger discussions and actions at the country level to promote policy and investment responses designed to accelerate the achievement of the Malabo Declaration goals and commitments.

ActionAid supported the analysis of the Third Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) Biennial Review (BR) report, which was approved by the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government during the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government. in February 2022.

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