Farmers associations strengthen voice in SAGCOT

*       Initiative to generate US$1.2 billion revenue
*       2 million people will be lifted out of poverty
*       10,000 small-scale growers will be commercialised

By Our Reporter
GROWERS associations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
to strengthen farmers participation in the design and implementation
of the Southern Agriculture Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT).

The associations which have signed the MoU include; Agriculture
Council of Tanzania (ACT), Agricultural Non-State Actors Forum
(ANSAF), the SAGCOT Centre Ltd,   and Tanzania Horticulture
Association (TAHA).

The actors will jointly facilitate the engagement of civil society and
farmers in SAGCOT initiatives.  Their concerted efforts aim to
mobilize and monitor inclusive investments in agriculture and improve
policy reforms that promote and encourage growth in the agriculture
sector.

The first phase of implementation of the agreement is funded through a
  grant provided by BEST-AC. The MoU is one of the outcomes of a
Non-State Actor consultation session, facilitated by UNDP, where
non-state actors called for a more structured engagement in SAGCOT.

According to SAGCOT Centre Ltd, CEO Geoffrey Kirenga, this agreement
symbolizes the partnership approach that is required to ensure that
investments in the Corridor are inclusive, engage and benefit farmers.

The MoU is considered a landmark for the farmers lobby by Mrs Janet
Bitegeko, Executive Director of ACT. "The coalition underpins what we
have all along advocated for; working in partnership. Through the
Tanzania Agriculture Partnership program (TAP), ACT has long
championed the multi-stakeholder partnership approach in agriculture.
I can assure you that ACT is ready for action."

Mr. Audax Rukonge, Executive Director of ANSAF stated that the MoU
aims at providing a platform to the smallholder farmers to raise their
voices and marks the start of deeper involvement of smallholder
farming communities in SAGCOT. "We look forward to contribute to the
promised outcomes from the SAGCOT initiative"

Ms Jackie Mkindi, the CEO of TAHA, said that the most viable way to
sustainably address the numerous challenges faced by farmers is
through transformational partnerships. "This MoU will define our roles
and responsibilities as partners in catalyzing actions and commitments
to strengthen farmers' involvement in agriculture value chains as
business partners."

SAGCOT which was launched in 2010 is a multi-stakeholder partnership
that seeks to transform the agriculture sector of Tanzania by building
inclusive agribusinesses in the country's southern region.

Its innovative model brings together various partners - including food
companies, processors, service providers, and farmers' associations -
to develop viable agricultural value chains and enhance the
profitability of farmers, especially those which are small-scale.

SAGCOT's ambitious goals include bringing 350,000 hectares into
profitable production; transitioning 10,000 small-scale farmers into
commercial farming; creating 420,000 new employment opportunities;
lifting 2 million people out of poverty; and generating $1.2 billion
in annual farming revenue by 2030.