Highlights of Organic Issues within National Agric Policy (20013) (Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives Tanzania By. Mibavu, G. M. 1
Outline i. Introduction ii. Opportunities on Organic farming iii. Policy Issues iv. Objectives v. Policy Direction vi. Conclusion 2
Introduction Some of the main challenges of facing agric sector in Tanzania: Low productivity of factors of production land, labour Overdependence on rain fed agriculture Inadequate agricultural support services e.g. technological innovation of agro inputs, post harvest and rain water harvesting technologies Poor rural infrastructures rural roads, storage structures etc Weak agro-industries Low quality of agricultural produce Inadequate participation of private sector
Introduction cont (organic issues) i. Emerging industry which provide alternative to traditional cash crops; ii. There is a number of crops which are under organic farming: they include Tea, Coffee, cotton, cocoa and a number spices iii. Many farmers in Tanzania produce Organic products by default iv. Commercial value depend on established marketing channel and certification
Intro. i. Farmers involved in organic farming usually earn relatively higher farm incomes as compared to conventional producers; ii. Organic farming allows productive employment, where the labor/land ratio is high, e.g. Arusha, Kilimanjaro; and iii. Health consciousness of majority of people now days have led to rising consumer expectations and demands regarding food quality & safety
Opportunities in Organic farming i. Abundant natural resources (arable land, water) ii. Multi agro-ecological zones that gives all year round growing season that allows wide range of organic products; iii. Demand for organic products is rising both in domestic, regional & international markets i. Growing awareness of the relationship between diet & health; ii. iii. Rising affluent urban consumers, Supports to the worldwide interest in safeguarding environment
Opportunities in Organic farming i. Considerable a number of well established research institutions for development of agricultural experts and technologies; ii. iii. iv. Existence of favourable policies for agricultural development (Land Policy, Irrigation Policy, The National Trade Policy, National Environmental Policy, Rural development Policy and Gender Policy just to mention some in the list) Existence of institutional reforms for improving efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of public services (Local Government Reform Policy of 1998) National Strategy for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction, Agricultural Sector Development Program (ASDP) Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), Tanzania Food Security Investment Plan (TAFSIP), National Adaptation Program of action (NAPA) etc.
Challenges and Policy Issues i. Low production and productivity of Organic farming ii. Inadequate coordination among stakeholders; iii. Inadequate knowledge and information about organic market needs and requirements iv. High cost of compliance and certification procedure; v. Weak regulation and certification of organic products
Challenges and Policy Issues i. Inadequate availability of organic inputs e.g. organic pesticides and organic fertilizers; ii. High cost of keeping biological control agents iii. Lack of production critical mass -relatively small base of commercial organic farmers & production volume
Policy Objectives i. Increased foreign earnings and household income from production and exportation of organic products; ii. Increased supply of safe and quality Organic produces to Consumers; iii. Setup organized farmer associations/groups for small & medium scale organic farmers so that production, processing and marketing capacity is enhanced.
Policy Directions i. Registration and availability of organic inputs to farmers shall be facilitated; ii. Put in place initiatives for regulation and certification of organic products; iii. Design a system to facilitate accreditation of organic products to reduce certification costs; iv. Develop a framework to facilitate coordination of organic farming stakeholders; v. Emphasis on increased support services on organic farming 11
Conclusion Organic farming can play a significant role in poverty reduction and increase income generation at both smallholder and national levels; Further market exploitation both at domestic, regional and international levels should be enhanced; Smallholders have to be empowered on aspect of Organic farming Since Tanzania has different agro-ecological zones and abundant arable land resources, organic farming is another window of opportunities that can be exploited towards enhancing national farm income. 12
Thank you For Listening 13