presented at safe project conference and book launching ceremony may 31 st to june 2 nd , 2010
DESCRIPTION
Challenges and Opportunities of Organic Agriculture in Tanzania (Book Chapter 5 by E.R. Mbiha & G.C. Ashimogo ). PRESENTED AT SAFE PROJECT CONFERENCE AND BOOK LAUNCHING CEREMONY MAY 31 ST TO JUNE 2 ND , 2010 OCEAN PARADISE HOTEL, ZANZIBAR BY E. R. MBIHA. STRUCTURE OF THE PRESENTATION. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
PRESENTED AT SAFE PROJECT CONFERENCE AND BOOK LAUNCHING CEREMONY
MAY 31ST TO JUNE 2ND , 2010OCEAN PARADISE HOTEL, ZANZIBAR
BY
E. R. MBIHA
Challenges and Opportunities of Organic Agriculture in
Tanzania(Book Chapter 5 by E.R. Mbiha & G.C. Ashimogo)
STRUCTURE OF THE PRESENTATION
IntroductionExpected benefits/Awareness Initiatives by stakeholders to develop organic
agriculture in TanzaniaCase StudiesKey constraints and challenges as related to:
Consumer demand Market access Contracts Value addition and processing Farmers
Conclusion and recommendations
INTRODUCTION
Farmers in Tanzania generally practice low input agriculture – ‘organic by default’
Organic Agriculture (OA) generally means a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture production system
It also provides interesting marketing opportunities
Codex Alimentarius Commission “… a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil bilogical activity …..”
Awareness and expected benefits of OA
Increasing yields in low input agricultureConserving biodiversity and natural
resources on the farm and neighborhoodIncreasing income or reducing costsProducing “safe” foodLong term sustainabilityAwareness: Many producers and
consumers are not aware of these benefits
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1990s government lead campaign – stimulated donor’s , NGOs support and projects like EPOPA.
A number of organizations and programmes promoted OA
REGULATORS, PROMOTERS, CERTIFIERS 2002 PELUM initiated process of setting up standards
and certification 2004 establishment of TanCert (certification) 2005 establishment of TOAM (leadership & coordination)
EPOPA (promoted access to international markets, played part in establishment of TanCert, TOAM and East African Organic Standard)
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Government Role:ASDS mentions OAA few clauses in policy statements support OA
but a number do not explicitly mention OAGovernment policies and strategies for
agriculture development are developed in several ministries (about 8). Five of these are referred to in the ASDS as the Agriculture Sector Lead Ministries (ASLMs). These 5 exclude the Environment Division in VPO, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Ministry of Lands and Human Settlement
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Challenges to policy development Inadequate capacity in OA research, extension
and training Limited understanding and awareness Limited promotion, supply, research on OA Access and affordability of certification services Continued promotion of synthetic agro-chemicals
CASE STUDIES
Organic Cashew nutOrganic cashew nut production declined in
Kerekese village due to unstable prices, unreliable supply of sulphur and credit delivery conditions.
Prices decline from one season to the next Premier Cashew Industries Company Ltd
was the sole buyer Farmers were compelled to sell to PCI as a
strategy to make farmers repay the loan
Case Studies
Organic cashew nutCredit amount not meeting requirements Lack of credit facilities in the neighboring
villages – temptation to sell sulphur to non-project farmers
The amount of credit provided to buy sulphur too small. The credit is also insufficient to cover other costs like weeding, spraying and harvesting. Low productivity is inevitable.
Case Studies
Changes in market organization: Introduction of Warehouse Receipt System
Premier Cashew Industries stopped to buy from Kerekese Village. Reasons: Low supplies, Change in buying system (dealing with farmers’ coop society managing the warehouses)
The above listed problems restrict transmission of premium prices obtained in the world market to farmers
CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES
Challenges/Issues for OA development in TanzaniaInadequate capacity to carry out OA
initiatives such as research, training and extension services
Limited understanding and awareness of opportunities and potentials of OA system
CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES
Limited accessibility and affordability of certification services by small holder farmers as a marketing requirement
Potential conflict on use of organic inputs vs promotion of inorganic chemical inputs
Uncoordinated planning Perceptions that OA leads to low
productivity
RECOMMENDATIONS
A. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Simplification of accreditation Incorporate directly OA issues in policies Sensitize, build capacity of producers and marketing
associations
B. ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS Ensure price transmission mechanisms that benefit the
primary producer Improve access to credit Improve availability of inputs
C. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Publicize environmental rationale of OA
The End
THANK YOU