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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Agriculture Policy should give priority to agriculture system that will protect the environment, that means sustainable agriculture and peasant agro-ecology.
- 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.
- 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.
It is our expectation that these opinions given by members of MVIWATA will finally be included in the final National Agriculture Policy.
