Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
agricultural advice information to stakeholders. PAR researchers together with
SAIPRO were proactive in coming up with the research idea based on their
long experience of agricultural development in Same District, hence gaining
the upper hand in its initiation and implementation. The interests of officials
of both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Division of the Environments
are based on their policy objectives, so they would work towards achieving
them. The director of national food security focuses on ensuring food security
under the challenging changing climatic conditions. Similarly, the mandate of
the VPO Division of the Environment is to facilitate policy proposals which
support effective implementation of national climate-change policies and
agreements. Government actors therefore occupy an advantageous position
of influence when initiating a policy agenda. The interests of development
partners vary. Some, like Norway and Sweden, are interested in supporting the
management of Tanzania's natural resources, as they have done for over four
decades; and in 2009 Norway signed a partnership agreement on climate and
forests with the government of Tanzania. Other development actors, including
the International Development Agency (IDA), the International Fund for
Agriculture Development (IFAD), the Danish International Development
Agency (DANIDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),
are long-standing supporters of agricultural sector development, and wish to
consolidate the gains so far achieved by addressing the likely impacts of climate
change on the sector.
At the local level, the Same District Commissioner gave the researchers the
required support to conduct their studies. He deemed the project important
because his district was increasingly suffering from chronic food shortages,
and that it was his expectation that the research would succeed and translate
into increased agricultural productivity and increased food security. We note,
however, that the sustainability of such support is dependent on the individual
qualities of the district commissioner as a leader as well as his continued presence
in the position. Should this change, for instance if he were to be transferred, this
support might cease, thus jeopardizing the process. During our meeting, he
explained the measures he was taking to ensure sustainability - the creation of a
system intended to contain all information about the project and plans. This, he
hoped, would facilitate institutional memory and assist future office-holders in
continuing with the implementation of project results.
Farmers, for their part, embraced the PAR project as a possible way out of
their predicament of failing crops and abject poverty due to drought. As one
farmer in Same stated,
Changes in rainfall patterns are increasing in frequency, making it difficult
for us to farm effectively. Last season I planted maize and the rains did
not fall as expected, resulting into everything being destroyed. I could not
replant when we were advised to do so because I lacked the inputs and
money…
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