APRM: Technology, a key factor for boosting agriculture in Tanzania
By Shout-Africa Correspondent in Dodoma – The African Union governance assessment Mechanism (APRM) Tanzania chapter has pointed out some obstacles to agricultural improvement in the country which if tackled the sector will reclaim its fame.
Pointing the issues raised in the APRM review on agriculture sector, the APRM Tanzania Head of Media and Communications, Hassan Abbas told a group of curious students from Dodoma’s Saint John University who visited APRM pavilion at the on-going Agricultural Exhibition.
Mr. Abbas told the students that the just completed Country Review Report which will be officially launched in October, 2013 has identified critical problems facing the sector to include slow introduction of technology, infrastructure and market competition. He said APRM is optimistic because the government is already aware of these stumbling blocks.
“The Government of Tanzania at the very highest level is aware of the need for more investments in infrastructure, agricultural stimulus measures, and rural development if problems of unemployment, poverty and inequality are to be addressed effectively.
“This awareness, commitment and strategy to tackle these problems are reflected in the Tanzania Five Year Development Plan 2011/2012-2015/16 and the Tanzania Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plan 2011-12 to 2020-21,” said Mr. Abbas quoting a section of the report.
The 323 paged APRM final Report for Tanzania has documented well the benchmarks for agricultural improvement in Tanzania as a diversification strategy to boost the country’s economy.
The Report hails the Five Years Development Plan for identifying science and technology as a core component of strategies to boost agricultural sector. “Core priorities identified in the plan are sizeable investments in infrastructure; increased investments in agriculture for food self-sufficiency and export; development of industries that make use of local raw materials; establishment of special economic zones to encourage exports and human capital and skills development, especially in science, technology and innovation,” notes the Report.
The Report however considers implementation of all the planned activities is a critical issue that the people of Tanzania should be mindful. “The above plans are eminently sound, and the Government and people of Tanzania should be commended on their elaboration. A critical test, however, will be the efficiency and vigour with which these plans are implemented,” says the APRM review experts in the Report that the Guardian accessed.
Asked when the Report will be made public, Mr. Abbas replied: “The APRM review involved many Tanzanians in a participatory and transparent manner therefore the final report will be public and widely distributed across the country. We hope by our scheduled October launching event both English, Swahili and popular versions of the Report will be ready for distribution.”
