Tanzania is endowed with various climatic conditions, topography and wide range of altitude favoring the presence of different natural vegetation that includes forests, bushes herbs, and weeds.

In many regions of the country, beekeeping is considered as one of the alternative income generating activities for resource poor farmers including women, youth and unemployed sectors of the community. Beekeeping also provides attractive options for rural employment and income generation in harsh agro-ecosystem where crop production is marginal and the risk of crop failure is high. With a production of 34 metric tons, Tanzania is Africa’s second largest honey producer.

In Hanang and Mbulu Districts in Manyara region smallholder farmer’s members of MVIWATA have started considering beekeeping as a source of income generation and nutritional food. This has been revealed through the production of natural organic honey. With a number of technical trainings facilitated by MVIWATA under the support of TRIAS, the smallholder farmers in Mbulu and Hanang Districts are now reaping the fruits of beekeeping.

The trained smallholder farmers’ groups are now using the value chain addition knowledge to process their honey, package and label them, ready for sale. The income obtained from selling honey is wisely used by the group by re-investing on the beekeeping as there is a big market for organic honey locally and at global levels. Smallholder farmers in Manyara region and Tanzania at large have a number of opportunities in beekeeping which includes availability of natural forest with adequate beekeeping flora and water, Existence of strong bee and a number of colonies, Market access, Diversity and seasonal availability of bee forages.

MVIWATA through a coordination office (middle level network) in Manyara region has started to tirelessly use the opportunities in supporting MVIWATA members and smallholder farmers at large mostly youth and women to benefit in beekeeping.

There are number of challenges that surrounds smallholder farmers from benefiting well in beekeeping. These includes Lack of organized marketing system and information asymmetry, Lack of improved honey beekeeping and product processing equipment, Lack of skill and knowledge of bee keeping to most of smallholder farmers, Lack of cooperatively established market system and institutional linkage in most places where MVIWATA has not reached and Honey bee enemies and agricultural chemicals.

MVIWATA is using all means possible to harness the opportunities available in supporting smallholder farmers in apiculture. Among the strategies to combat the challenges in apiculture are training of farmers on agro-ecology practices, organize smallholder farmers in groups and finally cooperatives for easy management of their produce and symmetry of market information

MVIWATA Manyara, a middle level network under the support from Farm Concern International (FCI) conducted a training sessions to Agriculture Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) found in Kiteto, Mbulu and Babati in Manyara region. The training sessions were focused on sustainable farming practices, marketing skills, and book-keeping skills.

Throughout the trainings sessions group discussions and presentations were highly practiced as a smooth way of understanding the concepts. About twenty-seven (27) AMCOS were reached which has a total number of 189 smallholder farmers in this training.

Each AMCOS had enthusiastic participants who voiced their interest and concerns and shared their ideas and experiences. Smallholder farmers were theoretically better equipped and together they formed a strategic feedback and evaluation plans for follow-up of the field practices when they get back home.

The training was facilitated by Donald Laiser a field officer MVIWATA middle level network in Manyara region, officers from cooperatives who showed huge support and collaborations and shared their skills, ideas and experiences to smallholder farmers.

The trained smallholder farmers were urged to share these theoretical skills and knowledge obtained during the training to fellow smallholder farmers in their groups and networks and follow-ups will be made to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the training conducted.

Introduction;

MVIWATA-Arusha and Iles de Paix in Tanzania have adopted Seed Freedom as an advocacy and sensitization topic in the frame of the development program they implement together – KILIMO ENDELEVU PROGRAM. To celebrate indigenous crop varieties in Karatu District Council and tackle advocacy and sensitization issues related to the Freedom of Seeds in the region MVIWATA-Arusha and Iles de Paix Tanzania will take the lead in organizing a 1-day Food and Seed Fair at the Mazingira Bora ground in Karatu town on the 30^th of August 2019.

Objectives:

• To gather and reach as many farmers as possible in Karatu District to celebrate the value of local varieties and to raise awareness on the threats placed on multiplying local seeds and the implications of these threats.
• To give farmers a venue to voice their opinions and formulate their own policy priorities in the matter.
• To put farmers and stakeholders who chaperone the continued existence of local varieties to Karatu in the spotlight and recognize their role as food ambassadors.
  

Key planned activities:

• Farmer local seed showcase, exchange and sales

Farmers and stakeholders engaged in preserving varietal biodiversity in an outside of Karatu will be invited to showcase, exchange and sell local varieties and their seeds and be encouraged to cook them for a seed competition where the best varieties will be awarded a prize.

In addition will a place be provided for related stakeholders to exhibit technologies or innovations related to sustainable production and food systems (e.g. Conservation Agriculture tools for planting).

Displayed varieties will also be shown on the biodiversity wheel providing a type of map indicating where varieties are lost and could be revitalized.

• Luncheon of traditional dishes in Karatu District making use of local varieties

To celebrate the richness in taste of various varieties a luncheon with traditional dishes in Karatu District making use of local crop varieties will be cooked for participants to taste and cooking demonstrations will raise awareness on how to cook the varieties available.

• Debates on Seed Freedom and the setting of an advocacy agenda by farmers on the topic

The documentary Seeds of Freedom will be screened to introduce a farmer debate on seed freedom with the objective to allow farmers to raise the policy issues that are most important to them and to take up their arguments in a position paper which will be presented to relevant policy-makers during the event.

In order to keep the momentum of fighting for Seed Freedom going, ambassadors from different stakeholders will be recognized and encouraged to continue their role as a chaperon and promoter of seed biodiversity and seed freedom.

Target audience:

Primary target audience:

• Small-holder farmers;
• Government actors in Karatu District Council and relevant Policy-makers

Secondary target audience:

• Food and value chain stakeholders (hotels, restaurants, processors, seed agencies and associations);
• Students;
• Representatives of relevant organizations (CSO, MBO, NGO…);
• Researchers;
• General public

MVIWATA participated differently in this year’s Farmers Exhibition known as Nane nane took place in different regions across Tanzania. The exhibition began on 1^st August 2019 to 8th August 2019.

MVIWATA participated from ward level, regional and zonal levels in Morogoro, Arusha, Shinyanga, Njombe, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Kagera. This year’s MVIWATA slogan in Nane nane farmers’ exhibition is “Youth and Women are the Backbone of Our Agriculture”.  At MVIWATA’s pavilions in all centers participants found a number of MVIWATA publications on climate change, peasant agro ecology, public expenditure tracking system (PETS), democratic leadership in the society and a number of brochures relating to smallholder farmers’ members of MVIWATA initiatives.

In this year’s Nanenane exhibition, there were numerous products made by smallholder farmers that are presented to the public by MVIWATA. These includes maize flour, nutritious flours, honey, processed groundnuts, processed rice, spices, processed mushrooms, indigenous seeds, processed hides products, handicrafts that are traditionally made and processed fishes.

In making sure that agriculture practices by smallholder farmers conserves the environment MVIWATA made a demonstration plot where there are numerous tree plots and vegetable plots of which its production process do not use industrial chemicals and pesticides from industries. The aim is to educate the public that farming is possible without using chemical farm fertilizers and pesticides which destroys the environment. This is with the understanding that agricultural practices should protect the environment, farmers and consumers for the wellbeing of the planet.

The weighing and measurement of smallholder farmers’ produces remains to be a great challenge in many parts of Tanzania. Most of smallholder farmers sell their produces by volume and not through weight units. This technique by businessmen exploits smallholder farmers intensively. This practice has put smallholder farmers in extreme poverty despite the good yields they harvest each year. In addressing this challenge MVIWATA through farmers Nane nane exhibition this year has made a number of educational materials and a weight measurement unit as a demonstration to smallholder farmers and the public to understand the importance and how to use the weigh measurement unit in selling their produces.

Processing of farmers produces like milk, spices, mushrooms, rice, fishes and products from animal skins were well displayed at MVIWATA’s pavilion in all centers of exhibition. For example, a milk (from goats) processing group named TWAWOSE a member of MVIWATA where a number of people were seen in that pavilion eager to learn about milk processing techniques. TWAWOSE is a milk processing group from Mgeta, Morogoro. This group has increased their income through increased sell of processed milk. Their markets keep expanding each year.

Indigenous seeds varieties, pesticides and herbicides processed by smallholder farmers were also part of the products found in MVIWATA’s pavilions in the Nane nane farmers’ exhibition centers. These includes ancestral seed varieties like maize, beans, rice etc. Also ancestral herbicides and pesticides made from roots, leaves, seeds etc, by smallholder farmers as inputs against pests and diseases in farms and for domestic animals raised by smallholder farmers. Demonstrations and explanations are part of the narration given to public in the MVIWATA pavilions.

Likewise, in MVIWATA’s pavilions chicken keeping where participants learn on how these chicken can best be kept in aspects of foods, dealing with pests and diseases by using indigenous knowledge pesticides and medicines were displayed.

MVIWATA invited the public to visit MVIWATA’s pavilion centers in all levels to learn different initiatives by smallholder farmers’ members of MVIWATA in aspects of agriculture, fishing and livestock keeping.

This report narrates shortly the events that transpired during the National Level Training on AGROECOLOGY AND CLIMATE JUSTICE done to 23 (10FEMALE, 13MALE) MVIWATA members with 65% of the total training participants being youths. This enriching initiative managed to put together MVIWATA members from 8 regions of MANYARA, KILIMANJARO, ARUSHA, KAGERA, KIGOMA, MOROGORO, RUVUMA and MARA.

At the core part of this report there is also an analysis basing on the accrued farmers’ experiences and the mind opening facts which are all in line with the constant struggle from the areas where the farmers were coming from

1. INTRODUCTION

A new wave of agricultural production practices is being extending across the world by a broad range of influential actors from the international capital under the auspices of large corporations to domestic instrument of the capital ranging from the governments with their legislative structures to their extension officers who in many cases have been carrying the agenda of the global capital intentionally or unintentionally.

Under this wave, smallholder farmers in Tanzania are also found and continuously in an attempt to fight the status quo. A National Network of Smallholder Farmers Groups in Tanzania (MVIWATA) has been constantly engaging in a number of activities that strategize and put forward the alternatives to fight against this situation.

MVIWATA, A National Network of Smallholder Farmers Groups in Tanzania which was founded primarily to unite the voices of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and struggle against their common challenges in social, political, economic and traditional spheres prone to their welfare and welfare of the whole working class in Tanzania and the world at large.

MVIWATA a member of LVC (La Via Campesina) in Tanzania hosted a national level training on Agro-ecology and Climate Justice, the training which aimed at providing a space for learning from the information developed throughout the peasant Agro-ecology and Climate Justice initiative in the region (Southern and Eastern Africa), practical lessons on Agro-ecology while focusing on Agro-ecology, Climate Justice, and food sovereignty and how they can be applied at local network levels.

Among many others the training had the following objectives;

• To train farmers on agro-ecology and climate justice.
• To use the training as an inception meeting for agro-ecology and climate justice collective.
• To develop strategy to disseminate the training in the local level networks.
• Standardize agro-ecology.
• Impart knowledge and skills on agro-ecology
• Share experiences about the impacts of industrial agriculture.

2. OPENING THE TRAINING

The training was officially opened by Mr. Stephen Ruvuga, MVIWATA Executive Director who insisted on the continuous process of which MVIWATA has been in strategizing and capacitating farmers to exchange information and learn to fight against the capital system which in agriculture it identifies itself largely on seeds, fertilizers, chemical pesticides all under the name of ‘modernism’. “Anyone who tries to go against this, is the enemy of the system, this is not an easy struggle but together in solidarity and with persistence we are going to triumph” he went further insisting to the training participants.

The Director also commented on the present over 3000 legal cases against Monsanto over its Glyphosate weed killer ‘Roundup’ all in an attempt to counter the sweet talks of our local scientists who use science as a skip goat in advancing the agenda of the global capital in agriculture which according to him, calls for farmers’ awareness and a constant fight against such propagandas.

“Our education and extension systems all direct us to increase the use of chemical pesticides, hybrid seeds, and chemical fertilizers extensively and whenever you speak of an alternative way to counter their belief you are labelled as a person who is against development, but evidence is there that their way is not sustainable and that is why we are currently experiencing a release of new varieties under different private companies such as ETG, SYNGENTA, PANA  and increasingly experiencing the drop in the role of the public institution in such chains”.

“Imagine a single farmer paying Tshs 300,000/- for seeds only and times this price with the total number of farmers in Tanzania and you will see the amount of money these companies make out of the farmers all under the name of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

But increasingly farmers have been told to cast away their inherited knowledge on farming which has been built up in time through a number of practices and knowledge and in turn depend on the so called science and new technologies in farming of which no one is the owner of such knowledge and patents in our country like the use of GMOs and gene editing technology”.

3. TODAY’S GLOBAL CHALLENGES

As the case is in other countries globally the issue of global food crisis, global credit crisis, massive urban migration, pollution, diseases, and oppression of women, pests, heavy storms, drought, and floods have been so common all being attributed by the global system of organizing production but despite all these whose effects are largely experienced by the majority poor BUT agriculture has to continue, so how do we move forward? We need to uncover the truth and myths of this ill system and build a movement to fight against it.

4. FAKE PROMISES AND MYTHS

Modern agriculture is so appealing, beautiful, good looking but going deep it has been causing a number of problems including disruption on natural resources and life loss of both microscopic and macroscopic life on earth’s surface.

The growth of capitalism in Agriculture has been attributed largely with the GREEN REVOLUTION which has brought about the introduction of industrial pesticides, fertilizers with the main idea of massive production to feed the nation, has it worked? THE ANSWER IS NO as nations are still importing and exporting food with the Green Revolution in action.

What we experience is massive effects such as floods, pests and diseases that were not there previously and all these are due to industrial agriculture and the loss of biodiversity both flora and fauna.

Industrial agriculture is associated with monoculture which causes the loss of biodiversity and has been causing massive over reliance on monoculture, deteriorate the health of the food consumers as people don’t get all nutrients from one single crop.

5. AGROECOLOGY AS AN ALTERNATIVE AND A WAY OF LIFE.

Back to centuries ago, societies had their own way of dealing with nature and make the nature productive until the tremendous effects of propaganda which for a quite some time has managed to look so appealing to people (farmers) under the fake promises of easing work, increasing productivity while ensuring bumper harvest. According to the trained participants, the lies have been spread largely by the extension officers and at first adhering to their system of farming one could get the so called bumper harvest but under the expense of environment and soil degradation, biodiversity loss and social injustices.

With agro-ecology, production is assured and the food produced is looked upon as a basic human right and hence producers produce to feed their fellow mankind while ensuring that they protect all productive resources. With agro-ecology biodiversity, soil, watershed is all under protection and in harmony with each other while practicing zero use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides and pillared on the use of local seed varieties.

Agro-ecology is a way of life as it involves farming practices which are social just, humane and respect the biodiversity.

6. SEED AT THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION, ADVOCATING FOR FARMER SEEDS AND FARMER SEED SYSTEMS.

Another area that the training focused was on seed and seed systems, East African Community seed bill and the harmonization process of the seed bills as a way of updating participants of the training on the current struggle on seed and build strategy towards advancing the farmer owned seeds as they are readily available, have special characteristics e.g. taste, aroma, resistant to pests and diseases, are resilient and promote nutrition.

From the training, it was clear that the so called “Formal Seed System” which is highly regulated, is a system that only sucks money from farmers under the promises of producing seeds which are distinct, uniform and stable but from farmers it is seeds from this sector that require a lot of inputs for them to grow, have the price tags that small scale farmers merely afford, have the lowest grain to flour conversion ratio and are easily damaged by pests both on farm and during postharvest handling. BUT with all the National and International Certifications under the formal seed system still the system produces counterfeit seeds which from the farmers witnesses during the training, the seeds fail to germinate sometimes, this is because certification does not guarantee quality, and because the supply chain is long (from R&D, through basic seed production, through bulking up and multiplication, through agro-dealers and other distributors) before the seed reaches the farmer, there are many stages for seeds quality to be compromised.

Farmers conclusively reminded themselves from where they came from, assuring their commitment towards protecting their ancestral seeds, exchange them to ensure seed sovereignty and to showcase this, farmers during the training shared and exchanged the ancestral seeds that they came with from their areas and the seeds have all been recorded in a catalogue to ensure they are diversified to many areas to be grown and adopt the particular environment.

7. CLIMATE JUSTICE

From the Kyoto Agreement to the Paris Agreement, the International Corporations under the capital system has managed to sway away the agenda of climate justice all in attempt to run away from their primary objectives of admitting the fact that the early Industrial Revolutions in their countries and their current activities are the primary cause of climate change whose effects are largely experienced by the majority of the southern hemisphere and hence the present attempts on climate change such as carbon trading, tree planting, social responsibility actions on climate from their countries to countries such as Tanzania is nothing compared to what they should actually do. And for this LA VIA CAMPESINA and its members are for CLIMATE JUSTICE trying to build a movement towards embarking these myths.

8. IMMEDIATE RESULTS OF THE TRAINING.

• Provisions of consultations as inputs for the regional curricular on Agro-ecology.
• Capacity building of farmers on Agro-ecology and Climate justice and the link between climate justice and agro ecology.
• Construction of hard infrastructure in Training Centers.
• Action plan on agro-ecology and climate justice to be used as an advocacy tool in networks on agro-ecology and climate justice issues was developed.

9. DECLARATION

Against the agro-industrial model, we are proposing a different agricultural and social model, namely agro ecology; and together we assure ourselves that;

1. We are aware that we have been trained to train others and to be militants who will take this knowledge to others in groups and networks.
2. We are going to take this training into practice and protect our environment through Agro-ecology and that our farms will live to see the realization of this dream and promise.
3. We are going to provide a written report on the achievement not later than September 2019.
4. All General Assemblies in the networks are going to denounce industrial agriculture and sensitize on family agro-ecology and food sovereignty and not the other way round.

10. WAYFOWARD

1. Localizing the Agro-ecology and Climate Justice trainings institutionally to train more MVIWATA cadres on the concepts.

2. To develop a seed catalogue and organize seed fare events for farmers to exchange local seeds to ensure their availability and promote seed sovereignty.

3. Trainees to organize themselves and mobilize their fellow farmers in groups and networks in realizing the goals of agro-ecology and food sovereignty through local food production.

4. The trainees of this particular training to form part of the AGROECOLOGY/ CLIMATE JUSTICE WORKING COLLECTIVE, to localize the structure of the collective in the networks for information and knowledge sharing.

5. To have demonstration plots and exemplary farms by the trainees for learning purpose and knowledge dissemination.

6. National Network to facilitate all middle level on AGROECOLOGY AND CLIMATE JUSTICE to ensure that this agenda cuts across all networks with a standardized approach.

7. To choose and train smallholder farmers on natural plant and animal remedies and medicinal herbs for the knowledge and products to be available in different networks.

8. To prepare exchange visit (at the lowest cost possible) as a means of learning and exchanging knowledge and skills on agro-ecological practices.

MVIWATA through its rural tourism program welcomed a 51^st group of travelers from France since its commencement of Rural Tourism Program in 2014.  The group with seven travelers mostly youth had their fifteen days (15) tour of which they visited four MVIWATA farmers’ local networks which are Kimokouwa village in Longido Arusha, Kwalei village in Bumbuli Tanga, Mgambazi village in Morogoro municipal and Uroa village in Zanzibar.

The programs’ objectives entails to share experiences and ideas between travelers and smallholder producers in Tanzania in all aspects of life mostly being on social-cultural practices, environment and economic aspects. This is intended to let travelers share and experience peasants struggles in rural areas.

When in villages travelers were hosted by smallholder farmers’ families in aspects of accommodation, food, guiding and participation in a day to day activities organized of farmers in rural areas. The exchanges are managed by a local guide and a translator who plays as a medium of communication between travelers and smallholder farmers.

Apart from these exchanges the program also offered alternative source of income to smallholder farmers through the hosting service they provided which includes accommodation, local food and also engaging in day to day and traditional activities. MVIWATA’s local networks in particular villages also obtained a percentage of income of which they will use to finance local projects in their respective areas according to their priorities. More information about the program.

The Board of Directors of MVIWATA together with its management made a visit and meetings with smallholder producers members of MVIWATA in Northern part of Tanzania with the aim of monitoring and evaluating the implementation of MVIWATA’s strategic goals.

The main objective was to reach the members of MVIWATA in order to evaluate together the implementation of MVIWATA goals, while building unit and solidarity together with smallholder producers in defending their interests at all levels.

In this visit done in five (5) days, the delegation had meetings and visits to members while witnessing various activities implemented by members in local level networks of Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Arusha.

A visit to middle and local level networks in Kilimanjaro region.

The delegation had the chance to visit MVIWATA members in Ruvu -Terite a MVIWATA local network found in Same District and also a local network in Kileo, Mwanga District in Kilimanjaro region. In these networks the delegation witnessed various projects by smallholder farmers including bee-keeping initiative with more than 70 beehives.

Apart from these two Districts visited, the delegation also visited members in Kindi village, Moshi rural district whereby more than 65 members of MVIWATA participated in a meeting. Later on in the same region another meeting with members of MVIWATA at local level network was also conducted in Shiri-Migungani, Hai District.

The visit to members of MVIWATA in local networks in Kilimanjro was finalized with a meeting between the delegation and the coordination team, whereby report on the implementation of MVIWATA strategic goals were submitted and discussed.

A visit to middle and local level networks in Arusha region.  

In its third day of the visit the delegation of MVIWATA visited and had meetings with the coordination team in MVIWATA – Arusha middle level network. In this meeting report of the implementation of MVIWATA strategic goals were submitted and discussed accordingly.

Upon completion of the meeting, the delegation together with the steering committee of MVIWATA – Arusha middle level network had a visit and meeting to district MVIWATA network member named MVIWAEKE found in Arusha district council.

The delegation also visited a biogas project implemented by MVIWATA members of which apart from hides, milk and meat as benefits of livestock keeping, they also use dungs for energy generation.

After a visit in Arusha district council, the delegation visited and had a meeting with members of MVIWATA at Longido district network named (MVIWALO). The delegation met with members in Kimokouwa village, Longido district and discussed different matters including witnessing a Village Community Banks (VICOBA) and also on how these micro-credits in rural areas benefits smallholder producers.

While in Kimokouwa village Longido District, by appreciating the role played by MVIWATA Executive Director, Mr Stephen Ruvuga in managing the organization, the members of local network in Longido District led by Maasai elders gave an honorary stick (rungu) for his outstanding role in implementing his duties. Meanwhile, a coordinator of MVIWATA – Arusha middle level network Mr. Richard Msandika was honored with a Maasai dress (lubega), as an appreciation in his role of working with smallholder producers in Longido district and Arusha region in general.

The delegation also visited MVIWATA members in Monduli Distict and Karatu. The visit begun in Mto wa Mbu whereby meeting with members in District level network (MVIWATA – Monduli) was done, and also a local level network of MVIWABU and MVIWABU SACCOS were visited respectively.

The delegation, while still in Arusha, Monduli district they also made a visit to irrigation infrastructures constructed by MVIWATA which are found in Kabambe, Selela village in smallholder farmers’ farms.

A visit to middle and local level networks in Manyara region.

The delegation finalized the visit in Manyara region middle level network whereby a visit was made to bee-keeping and environmental youth group initiative in Bashai. Another visit was made to a Dirim irrigation scheme in Mbulu District whereby 1,600 meters including principle canal and minor canals were constructed by MVIWATA. The scheme has benefited more than 1,410 household families.

The members of MVIWATA, about 60 of them from all regions of Tanzania mainland on 15/6/2019 gave their opinions and propositions on the National Agriculture Policy 2013 during the meeting held at MVIWATA Head Office, Morogoro which involved delegates from Ministry of Agriculture led by Assistant Director, Department of Policy together with Consultants.

While giving examples of the challenges they face, smallholder farmers’ members of MVIWATA had the following general opinions to the National Agriculture Policy 2013.

1. We see the Agriculture Policy as an opportunity for our country to choose the agricultural system we want as a nation and to point out what major changes are required, what should be the contribution of agriculture to Tanzanians and the economy of the country at large. It is with this direction that we shall be able direct our policy statements.

This means, it is necessary for the policy to put the dream we aspire to achieve as a nation through agriculture sector.

Our dream as MVIWATA is to have an inclusive agriculture policy that recognizes smallholder farmers as a main pillar of production system currently and for the future and to ensure their land is secured, market systems of their yields are ensured, and to ensure that all supports necessary for enhancing their effective and profitable production are available.

2. The policy should direct and be led by our needs based on our realities as a nation, despite of the fact that we may have contributions from donors in covering the expenses of our new agriculture policy.

3. We propose that The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas which is aimed in protecting the rights of smallholder farmers, be part of the National Agriculture Policy.

Importantly, the declarations on land rights, seed sovereignty and biodiversity conservation, internal markets and food sovereignty be part of our new agriculture policy.

4. The Agriculture Policy should give priority to agriculture system that will protect the environment, that means sustainable agriculture and peasant agro-ecology.

5. The Agriculture Policy should give way and use of the agriculture curriculum, mostly education for self-reliance in primary and secondary schools, so that we can build a society of Tanzanians who are in touch with our realities.

6. As it is of now, the contents of the Agriculture Policy 2013 mostly aimed to give way to agricultural system managed by investors and companies. It is a wise thinking to understand that the development of agriculture in our nation shall never be effected by foreign capitalist companies, taking into consideration that a big population of Tanzanians still depend on agriculture and there is no viable alternative employment opportunity to replace agriculture sector. Therefore, it is mandatory that the policy protects and give priority to Tanzanians smallholder farmers.

The opinions and propositions of the members of MVIWATA to the National Agriculture Policy 2013 were categorized into Eleven categories. These includes Research, The Rights of Seed producers, Biotechnology, Extension Services, Irrigation, Agriculture tools, Land, agro-inputs, Markets, Farmers Organizations and the Participation of Youth in Agriculture.

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It is our expectation that these opinions given by members of MVIWATA will finally be included in the final National Agriculture Policy.

MVIWATA a member of La Via Campesina South and East Africa attended a six days Regional Meeting in Kampala Uganda by been represented by her members Mr. Hans Luwanja and Geovita Juston together with a Communication Officer Michael Neligwa.

The Annual LVC SEAF Regional Meeting focused on presentations of activities from member organizations including MVIWATA from Tanzania, ZIMSOFF from Zimbabwe, UNAC from Mozambique, ESSAF-UGANDA from Uganda, Kenya Peasants League from Kenya, FSC and LPM both from South Africa, presentation of the annual report from the LVC SEAF secretariat and the validation of the annual plan for 2019-2020 activities.

This three (3) days Regional Meeting was preceded by a three (3) days Communication Strategy Planning session by communication officers from member organizations of LVC SEAF. The communication strategy aims to define the channels of communication to disseminate information to the public about the interventions held by LVC SEAF.

Conclusively, the LVC SEAF Annual Regional meeting was successful conducted with lots of contributions from member organizations on the experience of smallholder farmers struggle on access to land, peasants agro-ecology and climate and environment justice.

A lot of exchange of ideas and experiences about the struggle of smallholder food producers in various aspects was observed and member organizations made a commitment to replicate the struggles where relevant to their organizations.

END

MVIWATA A National Network of Smallholder Farmers Groups in Tanzania conducted a five days as the beginning of its long campaign to engage more youths in sustainable agriculture sector. This was deliberately done in Morogoro Rural District to nine (9) villages of Kisaki, Kinole, Gwata, Mikese, Mkambarani, Mngazi, Dutumi, BwakiraChini, and Kiroka. In these villages 26 youth groups were identified having different sustainable agricultural/livestock keeping activities with 464 (240 female, 224 males) youth members.

The objective of this activity was to identify the youth groups, activity in targeted villages and support the rural youth group’s participation in sustainable agriculture activities, their access to sustainable production systems, access to reasonable financial services and marketing access to agricultural produces in order to creating self-employments to youths and mitigate rural-urban migration among youths leading to their minimal involvement in sustainable agriculture.

MVIWATA is mobilizing youths in groups for easy provision of trainings and awareness skills purposely to engage more youth in sustainable agricultural value chain. The trainings to these youth groups will include the necessity to affordable financial services like Village Community Banks (VICOBA), Group dynamics, MVIWATA membership and sustainable agricultural production systems.

MVIWATA in collaboration with HAKIARDHI and TAGRODE under Tanzania Land Alliance (TALA) has conducted a Field visit, Public dialogue and a legal aid in Ulanga District, Morogoro region for a Land Tenure Support Program (LTSP) Project. The objectives were to become familiar with the area in dispute and find out more fact on the issue, to provide legal aid to SHFs’ and offer legal assistance where is necessary for protection of their rights and to inflame thoughts and promote more awareness on land laws for Small Holder Farmers’ in order to make them more aware of their legal rights in relation to land.

The team joined with SHFs from Kichangani village and visited Kimbiru hamlet where Small Holder Farmers expressed their concerns on how the Land Use Plan they passed during their Village Assembly has not been implemented properly.

MVIWATA together with HAKI ARDHI and TAGRODE under TALA conducted a public dialogue which were facilitated by Kuyunga Yango a Legal officer from MVIWATA who presented on land policy of Tanzania, Nuru Pipino a Legal officer from MVIWATA presented on land laws of Tanzania and finally Kuyunga Yango and Nuru Pipino Legal officers both from MVIWATA presented on the proposed Agricultural Land Bill.

After presentations, Small Holder Farmers contributed on topics presented and express their views, opinions contributions and challenges on the subjects.

For Two days consecutive MVIWATA, HAKIARDHI and TAGRODE conducted a legal aid activity in four villages including Chilombola, Mzelezi, Igumbiro and Kichangani villages. A total of 114 SHFs (63M 51F) was attended. During the visit various issues were raised in legal aid including the fact that some people who claim to be lawful owners did not get Certificate of Customary Right of Occupation (CCRO) and conflicts which made some villagers not get CCRO. Villagers were concerned with not getting CCROs to date and the team planned to do follow up on the matter.

Conclusively the team proposes more trainings and awareness raising activities should be conducted so that Small Holder Farmers can attain more knowledge on their land rights, Baseline survey should be conducted in villages where it was not conducted so that stakeholders under Tanzania Land Alliance (TALA) may know the needs of Small Holder Farmers before going to implement other activities, To make posters that explains planned activities and place them in conspicuous places  so that more people may know what is going on as they pass by and finally trainings should be followed by legal aid.

END

MVIWATA under the support of TRUST AFRICA is implementing a Public Expenditure Tracking System (PETS) project whose goal is to ensure that there is increasing governance, transparency and accountability in agricultural sector and that planning, budgeting and implementation of policies, strategies and plans in agriculture reflects the needs and priorities of small holder farmers in the country. The project through a number of initiative has identified tailor made trainings as a way of capacitating smallholder farmers with knowledge on PETS so that they can be involved in formulation and implementation of economic and social projects that are implemented by Local government Authorities (LGAs) in their areas and with this activity a total 197 (101Males, 96Females) smallholder farmers were trained from Morogoro rural particularly in Kisaki and Gwata ward both of Morogoro rural District.

The experience gained from implementing PETS in the village with PETS trainees (Kisaki Kituoni, Nyarutanga, Gomero, Kichangani, Gwata Ujembe, Kinonko and Maseyu) has shown positive results for all parties, farmers on one side and the government to the other side the fact which.  Some of the noted achievements of PETS activities are: village assemblies which in many villages were called upon the urge of introducing PETS Teams to the villagers and have stopped following the result of the PETS teams after conducting the PETS exercise; awareness creation on the rights and responsibilities of everyone in the LGA; built and strengthened capacity of small holder farmers to raise their voices with evidence to make the public officials accountable with the entrusted resource.

This meeting was prepared to officially introduce and provide feedback of the PETS activity in the areas where farmers have identified and conducted the PETS crucial to the important steps on undertaking the PETS exercise.

Objectives.

The General objective for this policy session was to introduce PETS activities and provide feedback on the PETS activities implemented by Farmers in Kisaki and Gwata wards

Specifically the activity aimed at;

• To provide feedback of the PETS activity conducted in the areas
• To formulate an action plan on the result presented from the PETS exercise
• To get basic information on agricultural and other projects tracked by the PETS teams

Participants.

This meeting was attended by 39 (16FE,23MA) farmers from Gwata and Kisaki wards,9 Local Government Authority leaders, 3 Media persons, 3 Ward councillors including the Chairperson, 10 MDC officers including the District Executive Director and 5 MVIWATA staffs, following the visit of the District Commissioner many officer, District Executive Director, ward councillors and Chairperson had to leave the meeting and accompany the DC who had a visitation meeting in some wards.

MVIWATA staff team comprised of five pesonel; Driver, Training officer, Communication officer, Information Technology Officer and Legal Officer. The team first had a brief meeting with District Executive Director, District Council Chairperson  and DAICO.

Opening the meeting;

Kibena, DC Chairperson gave opening remarks and opened the session. She said that in principle this is government’s responsibility and but thanked MVIWATA for taking the responsibility and train SHFs. “MVIWATA has been working with us successfully for a very long time, for instance Tawa and Kinole Wards can be sampled as wards in Tanzania with SHFs who have been benefiting endlessly with the presence of MVIWATA” She said, she also cited KINOLE SACCOSS as another structure owned and benefiting the Small Holder Farmers as a product of MVIWATA activities to organize farmers.

“With trainings and MVIWATA initiatives at large it is possible for Small Holder Farmers to have assume improvement in their life standards” with this and other words the training was opened and went on.

Presentations;

Then followed a presentation from MVIWATA Training Officer explaining on PETS, meaning, importance, policy and legal provisions that support PETS in Tanzania, Steps followed in conducting PETS in Gwata and Kisaki, Projects that the PETS Teams conducted PETS exercise on, results of the PETS activities and way forward. This presentation was followed by other side presentation from Gomero, Nyarutanga, Kisaki Stesheni who had more clear results on the projects under PETS exercise and in their presentations a thorough analysis of each project under each village was presented forward the meeting participants.

Discussion;

The first discussion was opened up and directed towards the PETS presentation and below are some of the views from farmers;

 Views from the participants.

• Clear understanding of our responsibility on the Local Government Authorities.
• Lack of cooperation from the Local Government Authority leaders at the village and ward levels
• Use of legal receipts and prudent financial record keeping in the village, the need for auditing
• Planned budget should be directed to enhance construction of irrigation schemes
• Village administration problems and challenges including village boundaries disputes
• Poor road infrastructures which in turn hinder a number of economic activities from running smoothly.
• Lack of teachers to carter for educational services in the areas, the fact which was brought forward by farmers from Gwata and Kisaki.

The following are some answers from the District Council Officers;

• About the out of date medicines including ALU, the issue is attributed to MSD and that they are currently taking back the medicines
• On the scrapped building, currently it is advised for each health centre or hospital to a committee which will put forward such recommendations and brought them forward to the District Council
• Sensitizing all villagers to have
• Follow up will be made on all irrigation projects.
• Villagers should make sure that they form project committee to oversee the implementation of any project in their locality and demand for updated information on every project in their village assemblies.

Presentation from District Agricultural, Irrigation and Cooperative Officer.

The last presentation was made by DAICO. The presentation was on the 2019/2020 District Agricultural Budget Following the presentation the farmers were given a chance to raise their concerns and in totality they all claimed that the budget didn’t really reflect the needs of smallholder farmers and that they were surprised on how did the district council came up with such priorities.

Concerns from the farmers pertaining to the presentation.

• Availability of irrigation schemes in different areas
• Land disputes between farmers and pastoralists, village and village, village and conservation areas should be resolved for agriculture to sustain rural lives
• Social services should be channelled to rural areas in a quality and quantity equivalable to the town areas
• Agricultural markets and agricultural produce and product prices should be in top priorities n budget as farmers produce alot but lack profitable markets to sell their produces.

Answers from the District Councillor Officers.

• With the teachers issues, teachers will be transferred.
• TARURA will be notified with the road issues and the issue to be monitored so they can act accordingly.
• Villages should help in building some important structures such as school toilets and the like and the district council will only help after seeing such initiative.

Results of the meeting

• One policy session was successfully carried where smallholder farmers’ priorities and concerns on agricultural budget were given out.
• The meeting was used as a platform to sensitize smallholder farmers on MVIWATA fee membership and networking.

Way forward from the meeting

1. Every will have to part to go and work on the issues that aspired during the meeting.
2. Smallholder Farmers who attended the meeting will have to go and sensitize their fellow farmers in villages to ask for and attend the Village Assembly and participate fully and accordingly.
3. Increased cooperation among the farmers and the Local Government Authority leaders at all levels in finding solutions to different challenges that arise.
4. The PETS teams to submit their report monthly to MVIWATA offices to see the progress of the implemented activities

The meeting was closed by District Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperative Officer by thanking all meeting participants and MVIWATA for such initiative in training smallholder farmers.