ROOM FOR GROWTH
TBY talks to Fred Kafeero, Tanzania Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on the organization's long-term support for Tanzania's development, recent initiatives in agriculture, and financing.
BIOGRAPHY
Fred Kafeero holds a bachelor’s degree in geography, botany, and zoology and a master’s in environmental and natural resources from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. He joined the FAO in 2005 as coach of the National Forest Programme Facility based in Uganda and backstopping Kenya and Zambia. In May 2008, he moved to FAO headquarters and the Forestry Department in Rome, working as a consultant on National Forest Programmes and later as a forestry officer in the Forestry Policy and Resources Division. In July 2016, he was appointed FAO representative in Tanzania.What have been the priorities for FAO over the past year in Tanzania?
FAO is a long-term development partner for Tanzania, having established offices in Tanzania in 1977, exactly 40 years ago. Since then, we have been providing assistance to the government in the planning and implementation of its agricultural policies, strategies, and programs. Our work mainly focuses on improving food and nutrition security, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Through a Country Programming Framework (CPF), FAO and the government define priority areas in which to focus support over a period of two to four years. The current CPF focuses on strengthening evidence-based food and agriculture policy planning and coordination; providing technical assistance for increased investment in the sector; increasing agricultural production and productivity (crop, livestock, aquaculture, and forestry); improving access to markets of smallholder producers, particularly young people and women for improved incomes; and strengthening resilience to threats and crises, including those posed by extreme weather events. Under those priorities, FAO has provided Tanzania with specific and consistent support in preparing various investment projects in the field of agriculture, forestry, and natural resources management, including regional projects and other proposed bilateral investment programs by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. We have been at the forefront in supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to develop climate smart agriculture guidelines and related interventions aimed at building farmers' resiliency to climate change. FAO support and advocacy has resulted in launching a national policy on youth employment in agriculture, which in turn has impacted the beneficiaries' livelihoods due to the high adoption rates of good agricultural practices. Finally, we have supported the Agriculture Statistics Strategic Plan, coordinated by the National Bureau of Statistics to improve availability of agricultural statistical data. We have carried out several technical studies to inform policy or development of sector strategies, including piloting activities on crop forecasting and small-area estimation.
What advances have been made on the 2020 irrigation targets, and what will be the impact of these once realized?
Dependence on rain-fed agriculture is a major bottleneck for agricultural development in many developing countries. Tanzania is increasingly modernizing its agriculture, and irrigation systems are a key factor in that path. Tanzania has 2.3 million ha classified as high potential for irrigation development out of 29.4 million ha suitable for irrigation. The government plans to increase the area under irrigation from the current 461,326ha to 1 million ha by 2020. There will be a huge level of investment in finance and human capacities to realize this target. Increasing irrigated land goes hand in hand with increasing irrigation efficiency and promoting the sustainable use of water. There needs to be more of an emphasis on innovation in the implementation and management of irrigation schemes, including multiple and integrated agricultural activities that will enhance food security and nutrition of local communities in the areas.
Is there enough onus from the public sector on boosting mechanization and development in agriculture, and is there enough financing to support such a drive?
The government policy thrust for medium-term development is expressed in the National Five-Year Development Plan and in the Agriculture Sector Development Program Phase II. Both of these emphasize the development of the agriculture sector through mechanization. There are good examples where policy is defining a move in this direction. For instance, the introduction of tax exemptions on agricultural machinery and implements, as well as the drive for industrialization and attracting of investment for value addition to agriculture produce, all boost mechanization and develop the agricultural sector. However, inadequate financing of the agricultural sector could be a stumbling block in achieving these goals. There is no doubt that the government needs to work in partnership with development partners, private sector, and civil society in pursuit of the agenda to modernize and mechanize the agriculture sector.
ROOM FOR GROWTH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guest Speaker
Hon. Patricia Scotland, Secretary General, Commonwealth of Nations
TBY talks to Hon. Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, on the advantages of being a member of the Commonwealth, the need to celebrate diversity, and Tanzania's war against corruption.
read articleGuest Speaker
Libérat Mfumukeko, Secretary-General, East African Community (EAC)
TBY talks to Libérat Mfumukeko, Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC), on Tanzania's importance to the EAC, the major achievements of regional integration, and obstacles ahead of a monetary union.
read articleInterview
Raymond P. Mbilinyi, Executive Secretary , Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC)
TBY talks to Raymond P. Mbilinyi, Executive Secretary of Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), on its work to support the private sector in the country, tackling challenges in the economy, and clamping down on corruption.
read articleReview: Banking
The Quest for Depth
If Tanzania is to meet its 2025 vision of attaining middle-income status, it will need to corral its bank-centric financial and capital markets for greater depth by extending participation and rendering credit more accessible to SMEs, women, and the young to spur economic growth.
read articleInterview
Dr. Baghayo A. Saqware, Commissioner , Insurance, Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA)
TBY talks to Dr. Baghayo A. Saqware, Commissioner of Insurance, Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), on achieving universal healthcare coverage, the brilliance of microinsurance, and how to partner with public and private entities to increase the industry's penetration.
read articleReview
Legal Thunder
With the stepping down of Minister of Energy and Minerals Sospeter Muhongo in May 2017 over transparency issues and the introduction of three new laws that give the government the right to renegotiate or revoke existing mining and oil and gas rights, private players in the country are unsure of what future lies ahead. On the other hand, project-specific developments bode well for a sector in need of a breakthrough.
read articleInterview
Kapuulya Musomba, Managing Director, Tanzania Petroleum Development Company (TPDC)
TBY talks to Kapuulya Musomba, Acting Managing Director of Tanzania Petroleum Development Company (TPDC), on the planned expansion of the Mtwara-Dar es Salaam natural gas pipeline, entering northern industrial hubs, and empowering nascent industries.
read articleInterview
Marc Den Hartog, Managing Director, Shell/BG Tanzania
TBY talks to Marc Den Hartog, Managing Director of Shell/BG Tanzania, on the critical need for economies of scale, the importance of developing LNG for export, and why renewables must be taken into account in any long-term plan.
read articleInterview
Hon. Charles Mwijage, Minister, Industry, Trade and Investment
TBY talks to Hon. Charles Mwijage, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, on how to reach middle-income status, employing the private sector toward this end, and what sets the country apart from the rest of East Africa.
read articleFocus: Helium
Discoveries of Magna-tude
Despite being the second most common element in the universe, helium is in short supply on earth. With global reserves of the gas steadily dwindling, and demand steadily increasing, the discovery of a whopping 1.53 billion cbm of helium in underground chambers in Tanzania could not have come at a better moment.
read articleInterview
Gilliard W. Ngewe, Director General, Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Agency (SUMATRA)
TBY talks to Gilliard W. Ngewe, Director General of Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Agency (SUMATRA), on transportation budget allocation and cross-sector dialog and partnerships.
read articleInterview
Jared H. Zerbe, CEO, Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Limited (TICTS)
TBY talks to Jared H. Zerbe, CEO of Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Limited (TICTS), on regional trade flows and Tanzania's potential to take a leading role in orchestrating cargo movement.
read articleFocus: Tanzania Strategic Cities Project (TSCP)
East Africa’s “Geneva”
If Rome wasn't built in a day, it is not surprising that Tanzania's project to revamp eight of its largest cities is entering its eighth year of implementation. A release of further funds from the World Bank has given the project a new lease of life.
read articleReview
Lost in the Maize
Agriculture accounts for 30% of Tanzania's GDP, and the sector has experienced above-average output in recent years compared to the rest of the African continent. However, the sector's development is held back by poor rural farming practices and general infrastructure bottlenecks.
read articleInterview
Fred Kafeero, Tanzania Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
TBY talks to Fred Kafeero, Tanzania Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on the organization's long-term support for Tanzania's development, recent initiatives in agriculture, and financing.
read articleFocus: 2020 Irrigation Target
Reap What You Sow
In 2006, the Tanzanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation set a target for Tanzania's agriculture sector: to irrigate 1 million ha of land by 2020. More than 10 years on and moving ever closer to the deadline, this target has not yet been met, though the first seeds are being sown.
read articleFocus: Southern Circuit Tourism
Hidden Gems
Tourism is frequently described as the jewel in Tanzania's economic crown. In 2016 alone, the industry contributed over USD2 billion in revenues. However, for at least three years, the government has expressed concern that tourism is not well distributed across the country.
read article