How can the agricultural sector become vital
for Tanzanian economy?

Constraints affecting the agricultural sector are many. Advocacy for agriculture has been a marginalized affair, confused by weak institutions and organizations. The members of ACT have identified the major issues to be advocated for in order to make the agricultural sector a vital factor in the Tanzanian economy:

Promote Tanzanian products
Tanzanian agriculture has a lot to offer. It should therefore be encouraged and promoted massively in and out of the country. Tanzanians have to cultivate the habit of buying Tanzanian first, that is consume what we produce and create a strong internal market for our own products.

In the same vein, embark on selling worldwide and take advantage of the country’s natural wealth endowments of land, water and climatic resources.

More resources to agriculture
Historically, agriculture in Tanzania has been neglected economically. ACT wants the government and development partners to pay real attention and assistance to agriculture in terms of infrastructure, monetary and human resources. Agriculture needs serious investment to modernise as for example in mechanization, irrigation and development of marketing systems.

Financial institutions for agriculture
The agricultural sector needs relevant financing from financial institutions and the Government to boost production. ACT will work for the establishment of a financing Institution especially for long-term investments at affordable interest rates directed at agricultural production and processing.

Favourable policies
ACT will campaign for incentives to make agriculture profitable and attractive to investors – through fiscal, monetary and trade policies.

Farm centres for quality
ACT supports the establishment of farm centres providing extension services to improve quality. The farm centres can also provide inputs, mechanisation and improve farmers knowledge.

Capacity building is a must
ACT wants to empower agricultural players in building their capacity so that they can form their own organizations and institutions. This will enable them to participate effectively in all matters affecting the farmers development.

A new supportive mind set
ACT will work for an improvement of Government’s coordination of agricultural issues – and also for a change in the mind set of some agricultural facilitators and service providers.

Support to public/private partnership
A real public-private-partnership working and discussing in official bodies should be established nationally as well as regionally and in districts. ACT will support and participate in these bodies.

Massive marketing of selected products
ACT wants a selection of crops, livestock and fish products to be put forward and promoted massively in order to show that Tanzania is able to compete with anyone globally. ACT will also promote the production of bio-fuels.