AfricaPress-Tanzania: TANZANIAN farmers are set to reap positive rewards from the recent reforms on taxes, fees and levies introduced in the agricultural sector.
This was a key takeaway message for farmers and participants, who visited the Policy Analysis Group (PAG) pavilion at the recently concluded Nanenane exhibitions staged in Simiyu Region.
The farmers had the opportunity to interact with the group’s members around recent policy reforms during the exhibitions held at the Nyakabindi grounds.
PAG Chairman Audax Rukonge said their group works closely with the agricultural sector stakeholders including ministries with the view to influence policy improvements so as to build an enabling environment; increase farmer income; improve food and nutrition security; and encourage industrial development.
“We are excited to be participating in Nanenane agricultural shows for the first time ever as a group and not just as the single entities that we present,” Mr Rukonge said.
Throughout the week, PAG was able to interact with a wide array of agriculture stakeholders participating in the farmers’ fair around recent policy reforms.
“Nanenane has provided us with the opportunity to not only interact with participants to raise awareness on the recent policy reforms but also with the strategic opportunity to receive feedback from agricultural stakeholders on pending policy issues,” said Mark Magila, Programme Coordinator of Tanzania Agricultural Partnership (TAP) from the Agricultural Council of Tanzania (ACT) – one of PAG members.
Jacqueline Mkindi, Chief Executive Officer of TAHA Group of Companies said that in the last five years, over 100 reforms have been made in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors to enhance the economic growth of the farmers.
“As PAG members, we believe effective collaboration and strong partnerships are powerful tools, if utilised well, they lead to even more progressive transformations that can turn the tide for Tanzanian farmers,” Ms Mkindi said.
In conclusion, Nuhu Hatibu, Regional Head, AGRA East Africa asserted that “Partnerships are the strategic instruments needed to catalyse policy coherence for inclusive agricultural transformation in Tanzania. The synergies and collaborations within PAG have the power to move forward the wheel of inclusive development.”
PAG is a multi-sectoral platform that aims to promote coordination and partnership in policy dialogue so as to accelerate the implementation of policy reforms in Tanzania.
It champions policy coherence for agricultural transformation in Tanzania that is collating views of a wide spectrum of stakeholders involved in policy research, analysis and advocacy to speak one language.
