Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
to give presentations on agriculture development issues in the country. This
group draws its legitimacy from the multilateral and bilateral agreements signed
between the Tanzanian government and other governments or organizations.
The third policy space is the monthly Policy Forum breakfast debate organized by a
national NGO, the Policy Forum. At these meetings, actors from various interest
groups meet to deliberate on matters of concern and policy relevance. Policy
Forum breakfast debates have gained recognition and appreciation as spaces for
critical independent insights, unlike the first two policy spaces described above.
They are highly regarded by government agencies, development partners, the
private sector and civil society, so attendance and participation are usually very
representative of the range of actors at the national level. This forum draws its
legitimacy through documented representation by the various actors involved.
These three fora are highly influential in agricultural development policy
at the national level. They provide opportunities for the major actors to meet
and exchange ideas, and mutually influence their thinking on specific issues. In
addition, at the time of project inception, the PAR organized a national workshop
in Same District. This workshop was attended by a total of 37 participants from
various parts of the country, representing different categories of stakeholders as
regards climate change and variability. There were researchers from academic
and research institutions, District Agricultural and Livestock Officers, extension
officers from Same and Dodoma, and NGOs' representatives. Other participants
included farmers from Same and Dodoma, representing the interests of farmers
in semi-arid areas.
In addition to introducing the research project to potential stakeholders,
the workshop was intended to involve them in identifying indigenous and
recommended practices/strategies for soil, crop, water and livestock management;
further, to identify the climate information needs of different stakeholders, and
to involve stakeholders in setting criteria for the selection of villages for project
implementation in Same District. Following up such a workshop through
project progress feedback is crucial for continuous stakeholder engagement.
By using existing practical and bureaucratic and invited spaces, as well as
creating a new space - the DMF - the PAR project was able to bring the main
stakeholders together. Through the DMF and farm field school meetings, the
engagement of local-level actors was made more continuous. The farm field
school engagement brought together local actors - farmers, SAIPRO, input
suppliers, agricultural extension officers and weather forecasters. The DMF, with
16 members drawn from local-level actors including district council officials,
discussed weather forecasts by TMA and traditional weather forecasters as well
as advice from agricultural extension experts, including the timing of farm
preparations, planting, weeding, harvesting and the type of agricultural inputs
to use. This interaction outcome has attractive benefits: for instance, suppliers
can minimize the cost of doing business by stocking the 'right' agricultural
inputs like seeds and industrial fertilizers at the right time, which in turn enables
farmers to obtain these agricultural inputs in time.
 
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