Tanzania Agriculture Partnership
- a new approach

Tanzania has one of the world’s lowest rates of use of improved agricultural inputs in the world. The result is low yields and poor development. Attempts to improve input supply and use system and combine government policies and commercial interests have failed so far.

The Tanzania Agriculture Partnership – a public-private-partnership – has taken the initiative to a new approach. The partnership aims to improve effective use of agricultural inputs throughout the so called value chain. A value chain approach ensures that a whole range of inter-connected problems are addressed instead of just one problem.

The specific objectives of TAP are to:
• Develop benchmarks for best practices for development and commerce
• Implement a program to make agricultural inputs affordable and accessible to all income groups in Tanzania
• Stimulate profitable agricultural production
• Reduce risks and stimulate strong private investment
• Facilitate improved output market linkages
• Reduce rural poverty

A National Rollout for better planning, inputs and markets
After a successful pilot study in five districts in 2007, TAP is in 2008 continuing with a “National Rollout” to eventually cover the whole Tanzania mainland. The first phase of National Rollout will mainly focus on:

• Planning and implementing District Business Forums (Public Private Partnerships which can influence District Agriculture Development Plans)
• Affordable and accessible inputs for farmers
• Affordable and accessible credit for stockists and farmers
• Appropriate technical and business skills for stockists and farmers
• Institution building for stockists and farmers
• Improved output marketing - especially Warehouse Receipt Systems