Cashew nut production in Tanzania provides up to fifteen percent of foreign currency and ranks fourth in Africa.  Tanzania has been engaged in the production of the cash crop since before independence however, poor regulation and lack of reliable payments to farmers have posed significant challenges to the Cashew Nut farming industry in Tanzania.

The cash crop is usually cultivated in the southern coastal regions of the country, specifically in Mtwara, Lindi and Dar es Salaam regions. The south has always been a major producer.

The origin of the seed, however, was in South America, particularly Brazil. The Portuguese brought it from here to Europe. They also introduced it to Tanzania in the 1500s. The sale and marketing of the product in Tanzania is run by the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania, through various farmer co-operatives.

In April 2020 Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) members in Mtwara, Lindi and Pwani regions met and organized a meeting among themselves to discuss and resolve cashew nut challenges they face. MVIWATA members in such regions are producers of cashew nut and also members of farmer co-operatives.

Meetings were organized and held in Liwale, Masasi, Newala and Mkuranga Districts by famers accompanied by MVIWATA staffs. In these meetings critical challenges facing cashew nut producers were revealed and discussed in Liwale and Mkuranga Districts. These challenges ranged from local farmers’ co-operatives, main co-operatives, and government interventions in cashew nut market.

Lack of on-time delivery of bags for storage of cashew nut and sluggish with inefficient system of cashew nut collection in local farmers co-operatives, sabotage of farmers through changing of cashew nut grades without their presence and approval and late payments for cashew nuts already sold in collective markets, were revealed as critical challenges that needs immediate solutions in Liwale District, Lindi region for sustainable production.

In Mkuranga region cashew nuts for 2019/2020 season lacked market as their cashew nuts were graded as rejects. Therefore farmers through their local co-operatives were required to pay a tax of 200 TZS per kilogram and collect their cashew nuts at local farmer co-operatives in order to find markets in their own.

With these concerns of MVIWATA members, a consultative meeting with Hon Omary Mgumba a Deputy Minister for Agriculture was organized where farmers presented the said issues before him.

In Mkuranga district, as a way to resolve challenges, MVIWATA organized a media visit whereby smallholder farmers aired their issues. Upon these initiatives as for Liwale District, Deputy Minister for Agriculture adhered to address the challenges immediately, while for smallholder farmers in Mkuranga, the district authorities dropped the tax from 200 TZS to 50 TZS after a media visit.  

More than eighty-five percent of the cashew nut farmers are small holder farmers and have an average farm size of 1 hectare.

A training to 20 smallholder farmers from Morogoro, Dodoma and Manyara is organised and effected by MVIWATA for six days. The training focuses on creating awareness and capacity building to smallholder farmers’ promoters in formation and management of microfinance services by smallholder farmers in their respective areas.

Trainings to promoters of formation and management of microfinance services of smallholder farmers is part of strategies of MVIWATA to capacitate smallholder farmers with skills and knowledge in forming and managing their microfinance services like Village Community Banks (VICOBA) and Servings and Credit Co-Operative Society (SACCOS).

Speaking during the opening remarks, Mr. Stephen Ruvuga a MVIWATA Executive Director said, having microfinance services formed and managed by smallholder farmers themselves is a reliable alternative against exploitative financial systems of commercial banks to smallholder farmers and the working class at large.

He further urged smallholder farmers to be honest and protect at all cost their micro-financial services because failure to that, they will always be dragged to adhere to exploitative systems of commercial banks.

Mr Ruvuga reminded participants on the same initiatives years back by the organisation that failed to yield the desired results because smallholder farmers could not defend their micro-finance services against deceitful and corrupt leaders. He stressed that trainings to promoters of formation and management of micro-finance services of smallholder farmers are on-going and will eventually cover all the regions and districts.

This one week training was preceded by a training on preventive measures against the COVID-19 disease to participants by a medical doctor. The preventive measures against COVID-19 disease was in place during the training as part of adopting to the “new normal”.

Speaking during the training Mr Remy Urio, a MVIWATA officer responsible for market and financial services told the participants that a six days training on formation and management of micro-finance services of smallholder farmers will cover a number of topics necessary for effective realisation of the goals desired.

Mr. Urio emphasized on honesty, trustworthy and commitment to participants of the training who are intended to be promoters of formation and management of smallholder farmers’ led micro-finance services (SACCOS and VICOBA) a newly approach aimed to form trainer of trainers of formation and management of micro-finance services.

Participants on their side were thankful of MVIWATA’s initiatives to train promoters of formation and management of VICOBA and SACCOS because such micro finance services are trusted and reliable sources of capital in financing sustainable production of smallholder farmers in rural areas. 

Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) organized a consultative meeting at Nyandira, Mvomero District, between members of MVIWATA to discuss and thereby resolve market operation & management challenges facing the Market that has hindered smooth, safe and sustainable benefits to smallholder producers in the respective areas.
Nyandira market is located about 50kms from Morogoro town, north of Uluguru Mountain, in Mgeta area. It is managed by a market board, established under the partnership between MVIWATA and Tchenzema SACCO (the owners and chief regulators of the company), and in agreement with Mvomero District Council. The produce sold in Nyandira market is mainly composed of vegetables and fruits.

Nyandira Market is one of the ten markets constructed by MVIWATA, other markets includes Kibaigwa, Tandai, Tawa, Igurusi, Mkata, Kasanga, Matai, Igagala and Malolo.

The overall potential impact of these markets is that most of the producers and traders are committed and willing to use them because they open up vast economic benefits to the producers, traders and the local government. The markets are creating business opportunities around markets, creating employment to the local populations as well as in the whole marketing chain.

Moreover markets have provided important links and ingredients to Tanzanian government strategy to promote agriculture and gain revenues through tax collections.

Nyandira market is facing governance and management challenges where by the day to day management of the market is lacking due to inefficient performance of the market board and Mvomero district council.

Currently among the services that are inefficiently available at the market are Buying and selling of agricultural crops and manufactured goods, Having the day’s price information at the disposal of the rural farmers and traders, Weighing of crops prior to being sold, Cleaning and drying of crops, Storage of sold and unsold produce, Security for farmers and their goods, Access to eating places, clean water and toilet facilities within the market, albeit at a small fee, Availability of other products within the market which farmers can use their earned money to buy, such as clothes and flour.

This has led to the lack of collection of revenues from market stakeholders using the market infrastructures.

Therefore the meeting was held to first define the date for election of members of the board market of Nyandira. The board market will then formulate and oversee the governance of the market while at the same time organise a meeting with Mvomero district council to have an agreement over the terms to manage the Nyandira markets in aspects of revenue collection and management expenses of the market.

Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) joins hands with the world wide movement of small-holder producers (La Via Campesina) in commemorating the International Day of the Peasant’s Struggle.

The International Day of the Peasant’s Struggle celebrated on the 17^th day of April each year reckons the memory of the 19 farmers killed by the Brazilian state whilst defending their rights to their land.

We, smallholder farmers, being the main national producers of food hereby unite with the small-holder producers worldwide in offering our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their dear ones and to all those hit and affected by the COVID_19 pandemic.

This catastrophe, bearing no boundaries, affecting the urban and rural residents reminds us of our long due and essential urge and call to the governments on strengthening and improving the social services such as health, water, education, extension services, communication and infrastructure in both the rural and urban areas. We insist on the government to ensure for the equitable distribution and refrain from continued commoditization of the respective essential services.

In this time when the world pleads more for solidarity, we are more than saddened by the trends, actions and inactions of some of the states, led by the United States of America, who keep on extending economic embargoes to states like Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Cuba, Iran and Palestine. Such a stance not only intensifies the economic hardships in the respective victim states, but also it derails the collective efforts in tackling and dealing with this COVID_19 pandemic.

Specifically however, we are more than disappointed by the recent action of the government of the United States of America of withdrawing its financial support to the World Health Organization (WHO) in this time when all resources is required in preserving our lives and livelihoods against COVID_19. We are however adamant that other states and non state actors shall uphold to the task in support of the WHO and further ensure that the economic embargoes and financial withdrawals are lifted for the sake of promoting our welfare.

Moreover, we again plead to the government of the United Republic of Tanzania to further uphold and champion for the realization of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, adopted late in 2018 and supported by the government with an approval vote. We insist that the government take note of the contents therein and incorporate such in our policies and ensure on their implementation.

As small-holder farmers we are dedicated:

• To stand in solidarity and support of the health care providers and all the working people in the forefront battling against this pandemic – COVID_19.
• To further understand on the origin and history of the peasants and essential producers worldwide and strengthen our learning system to adhere to our actual environment and realities.
• To continue engaging in production that respects and preserves the environment.
• To denounce exploitative and oppressive production systems that expropriate the knowledge and resources of the farmers and instead champion for a less nutrient food system.
• To keep on taking precaution against the COVID_19 pandemic and raise our voice against all the ills directed to and affecting the welfare of the working people worldwide.

#STAYHOMEBUTNOTSILENT

The Defender of the Farmer is the Farmer

Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) is commemorating the International Women’s Day 08th March 2020. MVIWATA joins hand in solidarity with millions of peasants, pastoralists, fisher folks, rural workers, indigenous people and the working class from all sectors and walks of life to denounce patriarchal system and all forms of oppression against women and humanity.

MVIWATA in collaboration with La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVCSEAF) and BIZILUR will organize events and action in solidarity with other allies at grassroots, district, regional and national level. Our theme for International Women’s Day 8th March 2020 is ‘Women in Solidarity, We Advance Our Struggles”.

On 4th to 6th March 2020 a training is organized on popular peasant feminism for 50 peasant women members of MVIWATA from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, allies at national and international level including Tanzania Gender Networking Program (TGNP), Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA), Tanzania Socialist Forum (TASOFO) and World March of Women (WMW) will also attend the training that will be held in Morogoro Municipal.

The training organized will cover different topics including having common understanding on terminologies such as patriarchy, feminism, peasant feminism, gender violence and violence against women. Training will also shed-light on the alliance between capitalism and patriarchy, struggles of peasant women and food sovereignty against agri-business.

As peasant women on this 8th March 2020 we also stand with our members who will organize similar events in collaboration with Local Government Authorities (LGA) in Njombe region, Singida, Zanzibar, Kagera, Shinyanga, Ruvuma, Mtwara and Mara region. Their event will include among others the reflections of the struggles of rural workers, legal aid provision, health services, showcasing farmers’ products, indigenous seed exchanges and traditional dances.

In commemorating the International Day of Women, we also restate our commitment to promote Popular Peasant Feminism. With this movement, we struggle for the defense of common goods, against imperialism, colonialism and patriarchy as the pillars that sustain a capitalist system of through land dispossession in the name of investors through agribusiness, responsible of the violence and dispossession suffered by the women and peoples of the world.

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MVIWATA with other Farmers Organizations (FO) at national, regional and continental level participated in the 7th Farmers’ Forum in conjunction with the 43 session of IFAD’s Governing Council at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Headquarters, Rome Italy.

The forum brought together more than 80 Farmers’ Organization leaders and representatives of millions of smallholder food producers from 4th to 11th February 2020. Been under the umbrella of La Via Campesina, South and East Africa (LVCSEAF) and East Africa Farmers Forum (EAFF). MVIWATA was the only Farmer Organization from Tanzania at Farmers Forum that took place in Rome, Italy.

The Forum was opened by the President of IFAD Gilbert F. Houngbo on 6^th February 2020 of which he affirmed the close collaboration of IFAD and Farmers Organization toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals one (1) and two (2). Following the opening of the Farmers Forum, the management of IFAD presented to Farmers’ Organizations its Trends and Partnerships with FOs which was followed with a plenary discussion.

On 7^th February 2020 the presentation of IFAD 12 proposal by IFAD management was made and followed by a question and answers. Thereafter it was followed by a five parallel thematic working groups that includes; Climate change and agro-ecology, IFAD 12 new instruments ASAP+ and Private sector, United Nations Decade of Family Farming and the Road map for the Food Systems Summit 2021, Gender equality and women’s leadership in agriculture and Finally Youth in agriculture and rural development.

After side event discussions, the reports from the five thematic working groups were presented and the first discussion of draft Synthesis of Deliberations.

Different parallel FAFO side events were organized by farmers’ organizations at regional level and based on themes, these included United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants, Territorial markets for sustainable food systems, Branding of Family Farming products, Financing FO projects, FO profiling and digital platform, youth and agro-ecology, Voluntary guidelines on small scale fisheries and United Nations Decade of Family Farming.

Being a National and Membership-based farmers’ organization in Tanzania, MVIWATA’s representative at Farmers Forum Mr. Michael Neligwa had a plenty to share in side events and plenary discussions including experiences on farmers struggles on access to land, sustainable production systems, farmers experiences on linkage and access to markets, , gender equality and women participation in leadership and agriculture, y outh in agriculture and rural development and finally on how best to strengthen farmers’ organization and building their capacity to advocate their interests.

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Members of MVIWATA from across regions in Tanzania mainland gathered in Morogoro at MVIWATA headquarters in February 2020 in a one-day meeting with delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Policy and Planning Department.

The purpose of the consultative meeting was to familiarize with smallholder farmers on the budget planning processes done by the Ministry of Agriculture, secondly to get insights of the stage at which smallholder farmers’ can participate and give their opinions and priorities for the agriculture budget for the respective financial year, thirdly was to get updates on the status of implementation of the agriculture budget for 2019-2020 and lastly was for smallholder farmers to give their opinions and priorities for agriculture budget 2020-2021.

In 2019, Members of MVIWATA held a consultative meeting with the same objective in Dodoma of which it also involved Members of Parliament for Agriculture, Water and Livestock Committee. Building from the meeting held last year, MVIWATA invited 25 of her members (12 males, 13 female) of which 28% were youth to accomplish the task as narrated above.

In his introductory remarks MVIWATA Executive Director Mr. Stephen Ruvuga welcomed all participants to contribute and share their experience on the matter. He also thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for always been available and open for consultation when needed.

Mr Mohamed Chikawe an officer from Ministry of Agriculture, Policy and Planning Department presented the budgeting process and also gave the status of budget implementation for Ministry of Agriculture 2019-2020.

Mr. Chikawe also presented the budget priorities for 2020-2021 for which he mentioned continuation of implementation of ASDP2, strengthening institutional capacities, laws and regulations, maintenance of infrastructures like warehouses, irrigation schemes and market sheds, supporting the availability of agriculture inputs to farmers, support formation of cooperatives, increase the use of technology by farmers and lastly increase research capacity for challenges facing agriculture sector.

Smallholder farmers gave their opinions and priorities for agriculture budget 2020-2021 notably on the following, timely availability of extension services, market for their produces, research on indigenous knowledge, construction and maintenance of irrigation schemes, timely availability and affordable agriculture inputs, frequent consultation and information provision between the ministry and farmers.

The resolution reached during the meeting were among others, MVIWATA should present its priorities for agriculture budget 2020-2021 in writing and submit to the ministry timely, it was also agreed MVIWATA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture should prepare and distribute leaflets describing agriculture budget priorities to smallholder farmers and lastly it was agreed that consultative meetings of the like should be an on-going task.

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As part of MVIWATA’s 5^th strategic goal of strengthening institutional capacity, smallholder farmers organized in groups are conducting grassroots meeting regularly. Pictured are leaders from 12 farmers’ groups members of MVIWATA in Ilonga Village, Kilosa District, Morogoro who gathered to discuss issues surrounding their groups and network.

The meeting was organized by MVIWATA Ilonga grassroot network leaders. Among the invitees who attended the meeting were Councilor Mr Batholomeo, Village leaders, including Village officers.

Members held a fruitful discussion, reflections and resolutions were reached focusing on their needs that includes resolving land conflicts and need for trainings on matters related to leadership and group formation.

On 8^th February 2020 leaders from smallholder farmers’ groups members of MVIWATA in Ndole village, Mvomero District, Morogoro held a meeting with the same objective. MVIWATA leaders of Morogoro regional network with staffs from MVIWATA also attended the meetings.

Across Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar smallhoder food producers’ members of MVIWATA usually hold their regular meetings to discuss matters affecting their daily life and have a common voice and solidarity in addressing such challenges in a close collaboration with government authorities at all levels.

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Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA) held its constitutional 24^th Annual General Meeting on 19^th to 20^th December 2019. The annual general meeting was held at Southern Highland Conference center Morogoro Municipal and was attended by more than 400 participants including smallholder food producers’ members of MVIWATA from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar and stakeholders including government officials, friends of MVIWATA, MVIWATA partners, members of academia, media, health practitioners and small and medium entrepreneurs.

The 24^th MVIWATA Annual General Meeting was preceded by a one-day workshop themed ‘Role of Cooperatives in Building National Economy” which was well discussed by participants after a presentation from a main speaker Comrade, Sabatho Nyamsenda an Academician from University of Dar es salaam and a long-time friend of MVIWATA.

Another speaker was Mama Veronica Sophu a smallholder farmer from Mbarali District and a former MVIWATA Chairperson who shared her experience on opportunities and challenges and the way forward on the Role of Cooperatives in Building National Economy.

Prior to the commencement of the workshop on day one, participants passed through booths prepared by some members of MVIWATA aimed to show-case and sell smallholder farmers’ produces. Members also visited health stands aimed for health check-ups.

Fruitful presentations, discussions and reflections were made by participants by analyzing the role of cooperative in building national economy. Participants reflected on the performance of their cooperatives, challenges and opportunities and the way forward. Resolutions were reached and close-follow of the resolutions was agreed.

The 24^th MVIWATA Annual General Meeting was successful held on day two the 20^th December 2019 where the agenda of the meeting were tabled and successful discussed by members. Some of the agenda included implementation reports for 2018, approval of work plan for 2020, MVIWATA constitutional draft review and approval.

MVIWATA Board of Directors led by a Chairperson Mr Abdul Gea headed the General Meeting together with the Executive Director Mr Stephen Ruvuga who seats as a Secretary in a General Meeting. Members of MVIWATA contributed their ideas and opinions across the organizational strategic plan that includes smallholder farmers access to land, Sustainable production, Market access for smallholder farmers produces, Financial services for smallholder farmers and finally Strengthening organizational capacity to execute its duties effectively.

Members cherished the general meeting with fascinating traditional dances and songs with messages that encourages sustainable productions, good governance, praises to MVIWATA leadership, access to land for smallholder farmers as main producers in Tanzania.

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The Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Developments, Hon. Angelina Mabula (MP) has given Certificates of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCROS) to 100 smallholder farmers in Litowa village, Songea Rural District in Ruvuma Region during the event organized and coordinated by MVIWATA.

The event was attended by hundreds of smallholder farmers including the Songea District Commissioner Hon, Pololet Mgema with other government officers in Ruvuma region. Speaking during the event, after submitting a CRO book and a safe box, Hon. Angelina Mabula praised MVIWATA for an outstanding work of ensuring smallholder farmers have access to secured land for continued sustainable production.

Ms. Laika Haji a MVIWATA Coordinator in Ruvuma region said during the event that 100 CCROS will be given to smallholder farmers of which 54 were females and 46 males.  MVIWATA in collaboration with government authorities in Ruvuma region has so far given 1769 certificates of customary rights of occupancy to smallholder farmers and the activity is on-going.

She further added that MVIWATA’s strategic goal number one aims to ensure smallholder farmers have access to secured land, therefore providing certificates of customary rights of occupancy is one among the activities planned to ensure the goal is accomplished.

Speaking during the event, Hon, Pololet Mgema, The District Commissioner for Songea Rural District said CCROS are very important to smallholder farmers by which their land as a major means of production is well secured, he further added a necessity for having Village Land Use Plan across villages as it will reduce conflicts between villages and between pastoralists and farmers.

The event was well decorated with traditional songs of Ngoni tribe of Ruvuma region performed by smallholder farmers who attended the event.

The Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Developments, Hon. Angelina Mabula (MP) has given Certificates of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCROS) to 100 smallholder farmers in Litowa village, Songea Rural District in Ruvuma Region during the event organized and coordinated by MVIWATA.

The event was attended by hundreds of smallholder farmers including the Songea District Commissioner Hon, Pololet Mgema with other government officers in Ruvuma region. Speaking during the event, after submitting a CRO book and a safe box, Hon. Angelina Mabula praised MVIWATA for an outstanding work of ensuring smallholder farmers have access to secured land for continued sustainable production.

Ms. Laika Haji a MVIWATA Coordinator in Ruvuma region said during the event that 100 CCROS will be given to smallholder farmers of which 54 were females and 46 males.  MVIWATA in collaboration with government authorities in Ruvuma region has so far given 1769 certificates of customary rights of occupancy to smallholder farmers and the activity is on-going.

She further added that MVIWATA’s strategic goal number one aims to ensure smallholder farmers have access to secured land, therefore providing certificates of customary rights of occupancy is one among the activities planned to ensure the goal is accomplished.

Speaking during the event, Hon, Pololet Mgema, The District Commissioner for Songea Rural District said CCROS are very important to smallholder farmers by which their land as a major means of production is well secured, he further added a necessity for having Village Land Use Plan across villages as it will reduce conflicts between villages and between pastoralists and farmers.

The event was well decorated with traditional songs of Ngoni tribe of Ruvuma region performed by smallholder farmers who attended the event.

MVIWATA Middel Level Networks across the country conducted their General Meetings at regional and district levels. The General meetings held as per MVIWATA’s constitution had different agendas mainly focusing on the annual reflections of members on developments of MVIWATA, report of implemented activities, incomes and expenditures, opportunities, reports of membership status of the particular region/district, approval of work plans by members and thorough discussion of challenges facing MVIWATA members and smallholder farmers in respective areas.

As MVIWATA’s mission is to unite smallholder farmers in groups and networks in order to protect their interests through capacity development, facilitating communication and advocacy on policies and systems the general meetings held were attended by government authorities as invited guests alongside the delegation from MVIWATA Headquarters in order to listen, see and contribute/respond to the questions raised by members in particular regions and districts.

During the MVIWATA’s general meetings in middle level networks elections were also conducted in regions and districts where leaders had constitutionally reached out of their time. Members also discussed greatly on the necessity of smallholder farmers across the country to unite under MVIWATA in order to raise their voice as one group of the same class and interests.

The government authority’s officers who were invited as guests in these meetings applauded members of MVIWATA for being exemplary group of unity is power.

A District Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperative Officer (DAICO) in Bukoba Municipal said he always finds easy to deliver agricultural related services to members of MVIWATA because they are well grouped and networked in all levels.

Also a District Administrative Secretary (DAS) in Liwale District who was invited at the meeting thanked smallholder farmers for been willing to unite in groups and networks and also for their contribution in the economy of Liwale District. He pointed out that ninety percent (90%) of the incomes in Liwale District comes from agriculture that means from smallholder farmers.

DAS insisted that farmers are always welcomed and that MVIWATA District leaders are welcomed to present their needs for finding solutions on behalf of their members.

After the successful completion of MVIWATA general meetings in middle level networks, A MVIWATA Annual General Meeting is planned on 17th December 2019.