This is what might happen if you are driven by your ego... We need to learn to patient, have hope in the future and scan properly the dangers surrounding the area we are.

 

Annual Consultative Workshop For The ILO /YEF Partner Organizations, being held at St Gasper Conference Center Dodoma October 31st- November 1st 2012

The objective of the workshop are Raise awareness on ILO/YEF program, plans and activities To discuss details on KNN & SIYB Program, plans, and expectations from partner organizations Discuss collaboration opportunities under YEF program To further promote entrepreneurship culture among YEF/ILO partner organizations
Seating from left-right ; Kenneth Simbaya, YES Tanzania Director (third left), Dr Kisui from The Ministry of Information, Sports and Youth (fifth left), J.Chilove ILO - CTA for East Africa (sixth from left), Youth Director from Zanzibar (seventh from left), Dr Elisante Youth Director from Tanzania Mainland(eighth from left), Marietha Mucha from The Ministry of Labour and Employment(ninety from left) and Mr Mkuku seating on the ground in blue jeans.

 

 

                         TANZANIA OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP (OGP)

                                                ACTION PLAN 2012-2013

 

 

 

1.0. Introduction:

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a global initiative that aims at promoting transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and encourage use of new technologies to improve governance. The OGP was formally launched in New York on 20

 

th September, 2011 by 8 founding members, namely; Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom and Unites States. The OGP is overseen by a multi-stakeholder International Steering Committee comprised of Government and civil society representatives. One of the major benefits of OGP is to improve service delivery and make Governments more responsible and accountable to their citizens. Given the benefits of this initiative, Tanzania declared its intention to join OGP during the launching meeting. The decision to join OGP is an important step to complement the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen good governance across all sectors.

Good governance has been a critical element to enhance and sustain peace and stability, economic growth, social development and poverty reduction in Tanzania. It is on this basis, that the Government formulated the National Framework for Good Governance (NFGG) in 1999 as a guide to institute good governance in the country. The NFGG envisages a broad-based national partnership for development of good governance. Such a partnership includes Central and Local Governments, Private Sector, Faith-Based and Civil Society Organizations consistent with OGP principles.

To spearhead good governance across the Government, several key and cross-cutting governance reforms are being implemented. These core reforms are; the Public Service Reform Program (PSRP), the Local Government Reform Program (LGRP), the Legal Sector Reform Program (LSRP), the Public Financial Management Reform Program (PFMRP) and the National Anti-corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP). In line with these reforms, sector specific programmes have been undertaken to improve service delivery through the implementation of Decentralization by Devolution (D-by-D). These programmes constitute the policy and strategic framework for enhancing accountability, transparency and integrity in the use of public resources in order to improve service delivery.

When President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete came into power in 2005 he vowed to intensify this endeavor. In his Inaugural Speech

 

1 to Parliament on December 30th 2005 the President told the House:-

"…My Government will be guided by good governance, transparency and accountability. We will respect the rule of law, and we will respect the principle of

separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. And we will empower each branch to discharge its responsibilities. The Fourth Phase Government will strengthen the public service and fight social ills without fear or favour".

The Government has also established and continues to strengthen, empower and improve performance of institutions dealing with issues of good governance, integrity and combating corruption. These include the Ethics Secretariat

2, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau3 and the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance4. Other accountability institutions include the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority5, the National Audit Office6 and the Parliamentary Watchdog Committees. In addition to this, Tanzania has enacted laws that require leaders and senior public officials to disclose their incomes and assets to the Ethics Secretariat as a measure to instill integrity in public life.

2 Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act No. 13 of 1995

3 Prevention and Combating Corruption Act No. 11 of 2007

4 Commission for Human Right and Good Governance Act No 7 of 2001

5 Public Procurement Act Chapter 410 of Tanzanian Laws

6 Public Audit Act No 11 of 2008

1.1. Rationale for joining OGP initiative:

The country’s intention to join OGP is to make Government business more open to its citizens in the interest of improving public service delivery, Government responsiveness, combating corruption and building greater trust. Specifically, Tanzania has joined OGP in order to:

Promote public integrity and transparency, enhance proper management of public resources and fight corruption; and

Strengthen mechanisms for citizens’ engagement and participation in improving public service delivery systems in their areas.

Through the Country OGP Action Plan, the Government commits itself to promoting increased access to information about Government operations and publish data on the prioritized sectors of Health, Education and Water.

2.0. Open Government Initiatives to date.

OGP is built on key pillars of good governance namely; transparency, citizen participation, accountability and integrity and technology and innovation. The following section outlines some of the initiatives that have been undertaken by the Government to improve governance.

2.1. Transparency.

2 Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act No. 13 of 1995

3 Prevention and Combating Corruption Act No. 11 of 2007

4 Commission for Human Right and Good Governance Act No 7 of 2001

5 Public Procurement Act Chapter 410 of Tanzanian Laws

6

Transparency has remained one of the key priorities of Tanzania as emphasized by the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere from the early days of the country’s independence. The Government is committed to sustain this spirit by ensuring that transparency remains a key priority in order to improve service delivery and make the Government more accountable to its people. Current measures that the Government has put in place to improve transparency are:

i. Establishment of three Parliamentary Watchdog Committees chaired by members from Opposition Parties to oversee Government performance and utilization of resources in Central, Local Government and Parastatal Organizations;

ii. Establishment of public complaints desks in Central and Local Governments. These desks are handled by focal persons appointed by Institutional Chief Executives to receive complaints from the public regarding service delivery, take appropriate action and provide feedback to the public;

iii. Introduction of suggestion boxes in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Regions and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) offices and service delivery centres aimed at receiving complaints, suggestions and feedback from the public;

iv. Establishment of oversight Boards and Committees at Health, Education and Water service delivery centers. The Boards and Committees are composed of representatives from Councils, community and service providers;

v. Establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to ensure that all tendering processes are properly adhered to in accordance with Public Procurement Act. The Act requires, among others, to advertize all tenders in the news papers and websites;

vi. Publication of quarterly Budget Expenditure Reports (BERs) and disbursements of funds from the Treasury to MDAs, Regions and LGAs in the news papers and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) website. Likewise, the funds disbursed to LGAs are posted at Councils’ notice boards and the detailed breakdown of funds sent to service delivery centres such as schools and health facilities are posted on the notice boards and public places; and

vii. Joining the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in 2004, an African continent initiative based on self assessment in thematic areas of political, economic and corporate governance.

2.2. Citizen participation.

Citizen engagement ensures community involvement in decision making on matters that affect them or in which they have an interest. Citizen engagement enhances the legitimacy of the Government’s action beyond its borders. Citizens must feel connected to the Government, they must feel involved in the decisions that are made for their benefit, they must be able to give out their opinions on

the functioning of the Government and they must be aware of whether their ideas are considered before any decision is made because they are the beneficiaries of those decisions.

The Government has instituted several measures to engage citizens’ participation in day to day operations. These measures have been instituted in all levels of Government operations although a number of challenges remain to be addressed to widen participation especially in rural areas. The initiatives that have been taken to ensure citizens’ participation include:

i. Establishment of Citizen’s Website in 2007

7 to allow citizens to give their opinions, ask questions and get feedback from the Government;

ii. Formulation and approval of Local Government budgets through a participatory approach known as "Opportunities and Obstacles to Development" (O&OD). The approach allows villages to prepare plans and budgets and submit them to the higher LGA level for inclusion in the Council’s plans and budgets;

iii. Establishment of sector dialogue mechanism involving Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Private Sector and Development Partners aimed at increasing effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of sector development programmes. One of the key functions of the sector dialogue is to undertake Annual Joint Sector Reviews (JSRs) whereby, annual sector performance reports are presented and priority actions for the subsequent year discussed and agreed upon;

iv. Establishment of Public Expenditure Review (PER) dialogue. PER is a high level dialogue between Government, Development Partners, CSOs and other social groups. It is a technical advisory forum that the Government uses to draw views/comments for improving planning, budgeting and financial management;

v. Establishment of Annual Policy Dialogue to review PER, General Budget Support (GBS) and National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) or MKUKUTA in Kiswahili acronym. This is a single event that draws about 1,000 participants from the Government, CSOs, Private Sector, Development Partners and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) whereby inputs from the forum feed into the National Plan and Budget process;

vi. Open and transparent system of village land allocation that requires the Village Assembly to pass a resolution to allocate Village Land to an individual or a firm that has submitted land request to the Village Government. The Village Assembly constitutes all villagers with or above 18 years. According to Village Land Act

8 all Village Leaders have no mandate whatsoever to allocate land. Gender sensitive village and ward tribunals have been established to handle land disputes; and

vii. Involvement of citizens and other stakeholders into the formulation of policies or laws to obtain their views and suggestions before they are passed by the Parliament; and

 

viii. Establishment of country-level network (CLK net), a platform for providing opportunity to draw input from the public for policy development and review (www.clknet.or.tz).

2.3. Accountability and integrity.

Integrity, transparency and accountability in public administration are key values to improve service delivery. Sound public administration involves public trust. Citizens expect public servants to serve the public interest with fairness and manage public resources properly on daily basis. Integrity, transparency and accountability are a prerequisite to and underpin public trust as a keystone of good governance.

While inaugurating the new Parliament in 2005

9, President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete emphasized the importance of integrity to public officials:

"…I ask the Public Ethics Commission not to shy away from asking each one of us to account for our assets and wealth. The Commission should be proactive. I will help it to build the capacity to do so, if indeed that is the problem".

Over the past two decades especially towards the end of 1990s, the Government has been instituting several accountability and integrity measures towards fighting corruption and improving service delivery. Some of the measures taken are:

i. Introduction of Client Service Charters in Government Institutions aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in public service delivery. The Charter specifies the services and goods that the clients are expected to receive from the institution, clients’ rights and obligations and the feedback mechanisms available to enable the institution monitor and evaluate its performance;

ii. Establishment of the National Anti-corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP) in 1999. The NACSAP provides the framework within which MDAs, Regions and LGAs are required to initiate concrete measures to address corruption in their areas of jurisdiction. A NACSAP National Steering Committee has been established drawing members from Government and Non-State Actors to oversee implementation of the strategy;

iii. Establishment of Institutional Integrity Committees at Central and Local Government level with the responsibilities of ensuring that staff in the relevant institutions adhere to ethical behavior and professional standards at work places;

iv. Introduction of Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys (PETS) whereby, Government in collaboration with CSOs track the implementation of budget and assessment of value for money

 

v. Strengthening of the Internal Audit function by appointing a Chief Internal Auditor General who oversees all internal audit activities in all MDA’s, Regions and LGAs. Internal Audit Units are now reporting to the Chief Internal Auditor General instead of reporting to the institution’s management in which they are based;

vi. Introduction of formula based grant allocation system that facilitates allocation of resources to LGAs in an open and transparent manner. The formula is used to allocate resources based on specific criteria such as population, access to services, poverty index, and land area;

vii. Establishment of Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) to manage public expenditure in accordance with approved budgets by parliament. All MDAs, Regions and LGAs are connected to IFMS; and

viii. Enactment of Election Expenses Act of 2010 to enforce accountability of campaign finances by Political Parties. The Act aims at controlling the use of money beyond the threshold provided and curb corruption practices in elections.

2.4. Technology and Innovation.

The Government is well aware that investment in technology and innovation is a key factor in achieving the spirit of open Government. Technology and innovation will provide the necessary platform for improving transparency, citizen participation, accountability and integrity which are the key pillars of open Government. Government commitment to improve technology and innovation remains to be one of the top most agenda. Initiatives to date include:

i. Approval of the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy in 2003 has set the platform to transform Tanzania into a knowledge-based society. The policy has been a foundation for Government departments, learning institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as other entrepreneurs to acquire ICT solutions to support service delivery. Some of the service delivery systems that are currently in place are: Financial Management Systems, National Payroll Systems, Human Resource Management Systems, Websites and sector specific support systems;

ii. Construction of the Terrestrial National Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) covering a distance of 10,674 Km. This initiative will ensure Central and Local Governments in the country are connected to this Backbone. The completion of the OFC will enhance access to information and data sharing among different stakeholders;

iii. Establishment of Tanzania Beyond Tomorrow (TBT) e-education Development Programme. The programme focuses on development of e-learning in Schools, Adult and Non-Formal Education centers and Colleges, e-Management and Administration in Education, e-Library and Education Management Information System (EMIS). To date, all 34 Government Teachers Colleges have internet connectivity and equipped with e-learning facilities

 

iv. Establishment of Telemedicine services focusing on provision of distance clinical health care and improving access to medical services to save life and handle emergence cases in remote communities. This initiative focuses on provision of specialized health care services. Currently, telemedicine services are provided at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar es Salaam in collaboration with 10 hospitals in India;

v. The existence of Health Management Information System (HMIS) for collection and management of health related data for planning and monitoring to inform decision making;

vi. Establishment of Water Sector Management Information System (WSMIS) containing a web based water point mapping system as a tool for planning and monitoring of water distribution services; and

vii. Establishment of the Tanzania Global Learning Agency (TaGLA), a capacity development technology hub that links to over 120 similar facilities globally for knowledge sharing and training through innovative approaches; and

viii. Establishment of e-Government Agency (eGA), an innovative institution to oversee, coordinate and promote the use of ICT to improve service delivery.

3.0. Open Government Commitments

In order to improve and sustain the aforementioned good governance efforts, the Government intends to implement the following commitments in the prioritized sectors of Health, Education and Water by June, 2013:

3.1 Transparency

i. Provide overall dashboard of progress on implementation of Tanzania Open Government commitments and ensure that reports are provided on quarterly basis;

ii. Posting orders and receipts of medical supplies from the Medical Stores Department (MSD) online and on notice boards to the facility level and updated in real time;

iii. Strengthen ministerial and other Government institutions websites, to post online within one month, all reports, studies, data, circulars, and other public interest data in machine readable format, except those which compromise national security

10;

iv. Produce annual citizens’ budget document in a simplified language (both in Kiswahili and English) and in a format that will make it easy for ordinary citizen to understand;

v. Review formula based grant allocation system to suit current needs of LGAs, and publish all LGAs allocations online;

vi. Post quarterly disbursements and execution reports on Ministry of Finance (MoF) website in machine readable format, updated in real time;

vii. Ensure LGAs abide to the existing requirements of posting approved budgets, disbursements and execution reports on the boards and

 

public places (capitation grants, development grants, LGAs own revenue);

viii. Publish quarterly all Tax Exemptions granted in Health, Education and Water related sectors on the Ministry of Finance (MOF) website, in machine readable format;

ix. Encourage donors to exercise greater transparency of donor funding given to Tanzania (Government, Civil Society, and Private Sector) consistent with International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) principles. Likewise, Government, Civil Society and Private Sectors should post online revenues and expenditures, in machine readable format on an annual basis;

x. Study global best practice of freedom of information laws in order to generate inputs for preparation of a potential freedom of information Bill; and

xi. Publishing of Parastatal Organizations, Executive Agencies and Regulatory Authorities revenues and expenditure on websites and news papers.

3.2 Citizen Participation

i. Improve Citizens’ Website (www.wananchi.go.tz) to make it more robust and responsive as a platform for citizens to participate in the running of Government, and produce monthly reports on effectiveness of the citizen’s website;

ii. Ensure wider participation of the citizens in the running of Government by establishing a platform for citizens to be able to send comments by mobile phone, emails and other means, and receive feedback within reasonable time;

iii. Establish an open forum in collaboration with civil society to review quality, integrity, depth and pace of progress against OGP commitments; and

iv. Establish a clear and reliable contact point and address for OGP communication within the Government.

3.3 Accountability and Integrity

i. Improve National Audit Office/Controller and Auditor General’s website to make it more open and user friendly and provide data in machine readable format;

ii. Develop and/or review Clients Service Charters of Health, Education and Water sectors for both national and facility level services, and make them accessible to citizens;

iii. Review existing complaints register to ensure that complaints received are attended and feedback on action taken is adequately documented and posted to the prioritized sectors’ website quarterly;

iv. Strengthen existing LGAs Service Boards and Committees in order to make them serve citizens more effectively; and

 

v. Prepare legislative amendments and regulations to strengthen asset disclosures of public officials.

3.4 Technology and Innovation

i. Finalize Water Point Mapping System for LGAs and make the disaggregated data available online and other means of communication;

ii. Strengthen the use of sectoral Management Information Systems (health, education, water), by making disaggregated data available online in machine readable format;

iii. Explore the feasibility of establishing a ‘Nifanyeje?’. A website where citizens can get practical information of how to go about getting Government services (e.g. getting a scholarship for university, water or electricity services, driver’s license, business license, passport and other services) and what to do if they are unable to secure the service in the required time; and

iv. Study global good practice on data disclosure for establishment of www.data.go.tz website that reflects high global standards to contain a substantial number of Government held data sets; and

v. Foster communities of local ICT entrepreneurs and actors to spur greater innovation, transparency and citizen engagement.

Public Audit Act No 11 of 2008

 

 

Annual Consultative Workshop For The ILO /YEF Partner Organizations, being held at St Gasper Conference Center Dodoma October 31st- November 1st 2012.

The objective of the workshop are Raise awareness on ILO/YEF program, plans and activities To discuss details on KNN & SIYB Program, plans, and expectations from partner organizations Discuss collaboration opportunities under YEF program To further promote entrepreneurship culture among YEF/ILO partner organizations.

 

 

 

 

        What is wrong with this woman? 

 

This is one question that everyone who sees Saada Juma and her children under that Baobab tree asks themselves. A former primary school English teacher, Saada has become a source of confusion to many who happen to see her…

Diana Silas (11), Michael Arafat (9), Junior Jonathan (7) and Godlisten Carlos (5) have never been to school. They learn under a huge baobab tree. Their mother is their teacher.

It is this same tree that serves as the family’s home during the day time. The clan spends nights by the roadside near a petrol station around Nyumba ya Sanaa area in the Central Business District.

On that particular Monday morning when I visited Saada at her daytime home, near the Gymkhana Club, the children looked so excited in their new uniforms. They looked so smart and one could be forgiven to think they were pupils at one of the public primary schools.

They were busy doing their homework on a mat while their mother washed clothes. From afar, Saada, in her forties, looked just like any other ordinary housewife going about her daily house chores.

Her youngest children, Goodluck Alex (2) and nine-month-old Trywell James played on the mat with some of their siblings’ exercise books. Saada breastfeeds the last two children. At first, it was Trywell, the youngest. When he fell asleep, two-year-old Goodluck cried and his mother comforted him with the breast.

“I breast feed both of them because Goodluck was still young when I gave birth to Trywell,” she tells me.

A lot has been written about this seven-member family. Saada, has also appeared on many TV and radio stations. She jokingly told me when I introduced myself as a journalist that she had had enough of journalists.

“Not a single newspaper has not written about me. I have been on TV and Radio but it has not been of any use,” she says. She accuses some journalists of swindling assistance channeled through them by those who have been touched by her story.

Saada showed me worn out newspaper cuttings with her story which she keeps in a bag with her belongings.

 

Her mental wellbeing

Well groomed, healthy looking and very charming, Saada looks every bit a normal person. She tells me how people she taught in school fail to understand what happened to her when they see her. And what does she normally tell them? “Life.” Some even cry as they reach their pockets to give her money to buy the children something to eat.

Speaking to her, I just could not find a trace of her being abnormal. She told me how people think she is crazy, how people say she is a freemason, a ghost, and all sorts of things.

“But I am not crazy my sister,” she told me. A headline in one of her newspaper cuttings reads; ‘Saada: Mimi sio kichaa’, meaning I am not a lunatic. “I told the journalist to write that headline,” says Saada. She says if she is at all mad, then hers is a good type of madness as it leads her into teaching her children how to read and write.

“I wish my children were in school. But since they are not, I have to teach them here so they do not become illiterate,” says Saada. She gave me an example of Nigerian movies that show mad mothers being helped by their children when they grow up.

But where does Saada and her brood watch these movies given that they are homeless? The family sometimes spends nights in hotels.

“When I get money, I stay in a hotel to get some good rest,” says Saada.

Although her children have never been to school, they can read and write. They also speak some English. Saada has two older children, a boy and a girl who were taken away by their father, now dead.

 

The school uniforms

A concerned Good Samaritan had spoken to a friend who owns a school about the homeless children and the friend had promised to help. He agreed to enroll the children in his school for free and so the Good Samaritan bought the children uniforms, shoes and exercise books.

However, when they reported to the school in Kawe (Saada keeps the name of the school under wraps) the school owner said he could no longer admit them.

“His partners, whom he had not informed about the children before had opposed the idea of enrolling them for free since theirs is still a new school,” says Saada.

With the four children in boarding school, Saada says she would have managed better with the remaining two. She could engage in business like she used to do before her family grew bigger.

“I used to manage well with fewer kids. I would rush to Kenya to buy merchandise for sale. That time, paying 500,000/- for a hotel room wasn’t a problem at all.”

From the way Saada expresses herself, one fails to understand what is really wrong with her. Many people wonder whether she is using the children as an investment.

 

Government’s intervention

But it’s the children that people sympathise with. And Saada knows this. “It’s because of the children that people like you come to us,” she tells me smiling.

During the five hours or so that I spent with Saada, people kept stopping-by to give her money, food or drinks and ask about the children. Some would promise to drop-by another day.

A lady close to one of Saada’s relatives says Saada’s family thinks she is using the children as an investment. She says her family has tried times without number to convince her to let them have the children but in vain.

“She gets violent when one mentions the topic. Her family once asked her to let them divide the kids amongst themselves but she only hurled insults at them,” says the lady.

Saada says social welfare officials too have attempted to take the children away but she never lets them do so. She wants to look after her children herself. “I want them to grow together and live as a closely knit family.”

The Social Welfare Commissioner, Dunford Makala says he once called Saada to his office, talked with her but she would not have her kids taken into care.

“She is very tricky. Very strategic. Sometimes she pretends to be crazy and hurls stones at people,” says the commissioner. Saada never discloses who the fathers of her children are apart from mentioning their single names and nationalities.

“We could have traced the fathers so they could either take the children or provide her with child support,” says Makala.

Saada has children with men from Tanzania, South Africa, DRC, Kenya and Zambia.

The social welfare office has twice sent her back to Kigoma but she always returns to the city.

Some Mzungu recently offered to send the children to the Dogo Dogo children’s centre but Saada declined. She even turned down a job offer to teach at the centre. She does not want her children to be raised in a street children’s home.

To me Saada looked very normal except in a few instances where I would doubt her mental wellbeing. Like when she would discuss about her boyfriends in front of the children.

 

Her background

Like many, I still wonder why Saada stays on the street with the children while there are cheap rooms to rent. Saada says her family is too big to fit in a single room.

Why can’t she find herself a teaching job? Why can’t she get a job at a salon (she is good at that)? Why can’t she do any business like most women do? She has several times been given money to start a business.

The second born in a family of eight, Saada lost her job in 2004, a year after her mother died. She had failed to return to work after the funeral. According to her, she had been possessed by evil spirits and accuses her family of having bewitched her.

A teacher who preferred anonymity says it is believed Saada was bewitched by a Sheikh who was competing for her love with another man.

But an elderly man who claims to be her close relative says she was bewitched by a woman whose husband she had snatched.

Her religious family is said to dislike her because ‘she drinks alcohol and smokes the weed,’ says the lady close to her relatives.

 

The children’s future

Everyone is concerned about the children’s future given the kind of lifestyle they are currently leading.

“They will end up becoming street children if they are not rescued now,” says the anonymous lady.

Section 7(2) a-c of the Law of the Child Act, 2009 states that a court could deprive parents or guardians the right to remain with their children if they exposed them to harm, abuse and if it was not in their best interest.

According to section 16 of the same Act, circumstances for care and protection of a child include when a child has a parent who does not exercise proper guardianship, lacks a home or fixed place of abode and the parents’ habit is unfit to care for them. The same section applies where a parent(s) is a destitute, exposes children to moral or physical danger and engages in soliciting for alms.

It is under this Act that the Social Welfare is currently seeking court’s intervention so it (social welfare) can rescue these children.

Jean Ndyetabura, the Assistant Social Welfare Commissioner says her office is currently seeking a court order so they can rescue the children. “We are waiting for the court’s permission,” says Ndyetabura. “We really have tried to help Saada with the children but she won’t let us. She gets violent at the mention of taking the children into care.” Ndyetabura says once they get the court order, they would take the children into care and trace Saada’s relatives so they can integrate them with the children.

Ndyetabura says it’s not a good idea to have children looked after in care if they have relatives. And a life on the streets just makes Saada’s children vulnerable. They need a proper home. They also need to go to school.

    The constitution and the right to education.

Currently a special Constitution Review committee is making round across the country to collect citizen’s opinions which will be used to suggest appropriate amendments or review of the current constitution, to enable it obtain a national consensus status which focus on addressing emerging socio-economic and political issues in our country and worldwide…

The Constitution is mainly termed as the “mother law” as it provides a framework in which all laws, acts and legislations of the land are drawn and revolve from it.

Therefore, the Constitution incorporates a wide range of issues and rights which a specific society deem un compromised, such as right to life, right to freedom of speech, right to affiliations (political and social), right to start a family, right to health services as well as right to quality education just to mention a few.

Among many basic right to citizens, education is among the most important rights which the Constitution need to stipulate clearly.

The ability to produce and use knowledge has become a major factor in development. In fact, this ability is critical to a nation’s comparative advantage. Information and Knowledge based economy is a kind of economy based solely on the production, distribution and the use of information and knowledge. In short, it means that the most important thing in the coming economy model will be knowledge and skills, not the material products.

The current literacy situation in Tanzania is shocking. By the mid-1880s, Tanzania was one of the countries with the highest literacy rates in Africa, reaching 98 percent.

Tanzania has experienced a 20 per cent drop in literacy rate for the past 30 years, a situation that is deeply worrying education stakeholders in the country. In the 1980s Tanzania had a literacy rate of over 90percent but recent studies as compiled by a UN agency showed that this had dropped to 72 percent (UNESCO, 2012)

The current literacy rate of people ages 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life is 72.9 (UNESCO, 2009). Children at age 13 complete primary education without adequate reading and writing skills, e.g. about 5,200 children who had been selected to join secondary education in 2012 were found they could not read or write (MoEVT, 2012).

Research findings about reading situation in primary education in Tanzania, from a national survey with children who had completed standard 7 (Uwezo, 2010) show low performance especially in reading and writing skills as follows:

(a) One in five primary school leavers cannot read standard 2 level Kiswahili;

(b) Only 3 in 10 standard 3 pupils can read basic Kiswahili story;

(c) Only 1 in 10 standard 3 pupils can read basic English story;

(d) Only 3 in 10 standard 3 pupils can do basic Mathematics;

(e) Only 50 percent of the children involved in the study could read the words correctly;

(f) About 30 percent of them did not write any of the words in the test instrument correctly;

(g) About 45 percent of the children identified less than four out of ten sounds in the test instrument.

With such levels of illiteracy, the poverty levels of people will continue to increase, as literacy is a tool in fighting against poverty. These illiteracy levels have increased due to poor education programmes and lack of right-based emphasis from the “mother law”.

Article 11 in the current constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT), provide information on education. It stipulates that “every citizen has a right to acquire education”.

Simple translation of this section is that the government has shunned away from the responsibility of providing education to its citizens. As education is very crucial in socio-economic development, the government cannot shun away from such a responsibility taking into consideration that majority of its citizens are living below poverty line, such that they do not have adequate resources to afford household needs.

In order to do away with building social classes this section need to be amended as it does not show clearly that the government has the major responsibility of ensuring that its citizens obtain quality education.

The Constitution should clearly stipulate that “the government has a responsibility of providing quality education to every citizen”, basic on the current socio-economic and political situation, whereby the government is giving more opportunities for the market to run most of social and economic activities including education, many citizens do not have economic means or ability to access education. This denies them their basic right.

Right to education can also be given more weight in the Constitution by providing it under human rights as we know that currently most of jobs demand a certain level of skills and knowledge. It is inevitable fact that Literacy is a vital ingredient in the fight against poverty. Reading, writing and numeracy skills are increasingly required for even the simplest jobs.

Being under human rights, it will give citizens power to demand for quality education and hold responsible those who violate this right. We have observed many sudden changes in our education curriculum which affected performance of our children and general quality of education.

Most of these changes were a result of just a bunch of people who did not feel obliged to consult the stakeholders (citizens) whether they approve such changes or not. The new constitution should clearly stipulate that such changes in the education system should be agreed by citizens through a national forum on education changes.

Many countries worldwide have articles in their constitutions which deal with education matters. For example, the Constitution of Ireland has a number of articles that are relevant to the law on education. Article 42 of the Constitution deals with education. Other articles also have a bearing on education law, in particular the articles dealing with the family and religion (Articles 41 and 44).

It is my hope that citizens will continue to debate on this and reach a consensus on how should education issues appear in the new constitution.

 Mradi wa kuku mkombozi wa wanawake Singida.

In Summary

Sisal board introduces mobile decorticators to revolutionise farming..

Way back in the early 60s, the sisal industry was the best organised commercial agriculture in East Africa with Tanzania leading in terms of production, followed by Brazil.

In 1964, for example, Tanzania produced 240,000 tons of sisal fibre from an area of 487,000 hectares of sisal.

In effect, the industry was the largest single employer and the crop, the major foreign exchange earner for the economy.

Up to 1967, the industry was in private hands. But with the proclamation of the then famous Arusha Declaration, all major economic activities became under state control where over 50 percent of the industry was nationalized.

Most owners of such entities went in confused circles, not knowing what to do next. Along with the move, were houses, high-rise buildings whose value was estimated to cost 100,000/- and above.

The nationalized sisal estates were bestowed in government hands with a public parastatal –Tanzania Sisal Corporation (TSC) formed. Later in 1973, the entity became Tanzania Sisal Authority (TSA).

Only three companies – Amboni Limited, Ralli Estate and Karimjee Agriculture Limited were spared, contributing to the rest 50 percent of the country’s sisal production.

Suddenly, the industry experienced a worst ever decline in the 1970s and 1980s – with production levels pushed down from 230,000 tons in 1964 to 20,485 in 2000.

Among the reasons for the severe slump was neglect of agriculture as an integral part towards national development.

The other, according to agronomists, was the setting in of the synthetic fibre use by developed countries, ending market share of sisal in the world.

Faced with the competition, the product fetched very low prices, while costs of production remained the same-resulting in low profit margin.

With too much on its shoulders, the government decided to privatise the firm. After a bidding exercise, Katani Limited, a processing, marketing and provider of technical and extension services in sisal industry, came out the winner.

Katani Limited, a privately owned company, operates five factories. These are Magoma, Mwelya, Hale, Ngombezi and Magunga, all of them in Korogwe district.

The company has three subsidiary firms – Tanzania Cordage (TANCORD) at Ngomeni, Muheza district, Central workshop at Ngombezi and Hale-based Mkonge Energy Systems (MES) in Korogwe district.

All the five estates are rented to small-scale farmers under SISO System.

Under this arrangement, small-scale farmers, according to a contractual arrangement, are allocated farming plots ranging from 6 to 20 hectares where they grow sisal and sell sisal leaves to Katani Limited who are buyers of their products.

Considering the importance of sisal in the country’s development, the Tanzania Sisal Board (TSB) recently came up with a sisal crop development plan – a road map of the sisal industry – in order to revamp the crop.

Aimed at promoting small holder farming – a type of activity now cherished world wide to alleviate rural poverty and raise sustainability of sisal production, TSB has, in a bid to revolutionize sisal farming by smallholder farmers, introduced mobile decorticating.

The use of mobile decorticators is common in Brazil, the world’s largest sisal producer. In effect, Brazil depends on small-scale farming to maintain the global title in the sisal industry.

In this regard, the government, through TSB had approached the Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre (TATC) – a mechanization unit under the Ministry of Defence and National Service to provide decorticators for Tanzanian farmers.

Accordingly, the first unit – a machine weighing over 600 kgs, is presently on a ten-day trial operation at the Mlingano Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) , an autonomous institution owned by Tanzania Sisal Board, the only one in the world.

“This machine is one of many we intend to order from Nyumbu (TATC) in a bid to revolutionise sisal farming in the country,” said Hassan Kibarua, TSB Senior Planning and Research Officer at the trial operations site at ARI last week.

Kibarua said introduction of the mobile decorticators was primarily aimed at liberating small holder farmers from hardship they had been facing in having their products processed in factories owned by large scale farmers.

For example, he said, private decorticators buy sisal leaves from small scale farmers for a price ranging between 5,000/= and 10,000/-.

“The famers accept whatever price on offer from owners of private decorticators be cause they are in desperate need of money, not because the price is favourable to them”, asserted Kibarua.

He said, ideally, the price should be higher considering the local market price of sisal fibre, which presently stands at 1.8 m/- for under grade (ug) fibre - a quality of produce which accounts for 70 percent in the country.

Sisal farming is rapidly on the rise in the country – a situation brought about by the awareness of farmers who have lately been shifting from traditional crops like maize and others which have, all along, been drying up shortly after planting.

Due to the rapid expansion of sisal farming, farmers have, at times, found themselves having no place to send their crops for processing, due to the fact that decorating facilities in the country are few .

Faced by such situation, farmers crops dry up, especially for those who can not afford to pay for transport costs to processing factories which may be kilometers away from their farming plots.

For those who can afford transport, they ultimately find that the profit margin is meagre ,given the prevailing prices on offer by large scale farmers.

Already, the National Microfinance Bank (NMB) has accepted a request by TSB to provide loans to small-scale farmers – either in groups or individually -to enable them purchase decorticators.

Under a tripartite agreement involving the bank, farmer and buyer of the product, a farmer is required to go to a district council where he belongs, to have his farm registered. After the initial process, TSB informs the bank, requesting the banking facility to consider the farmer’s application for a loan.

Accordingly, the contract is entered into with the farmer confirming that he would sell his product to the buyer of his choice. The buyer, on his part, should then agree to buy the product from the farmer, remitting installments of the loan given to the farmer to the bank.

After the contract agreement is signed, the bank releases the fund to the decorticator manufacturer (Nyumbu) who ultimately delivers the machine to the farmer.

International Day of the Girl Child Challenges: Citizens to promote opportunities in tanzania.

On behalf of the American people, I am proud to celebrate the first-ever International Day of the Girl Child with Tanzanians.

The day was established to recognise girls’ rights and galvanise global commitments to end gender stereotypes, discrimination, violence and economic disparities that disproportionately affect girls.

This day gives us all -  girl, boy, man, woman - a unique opportunity to consider how we can work together to ensure that all young people have equal opportunities to contribute to their societies, and to build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their countries.

As I have said to every audience in every corner of Tanzania I have had the honor to visit during my almost three years of service as US Ambassador to Tanzania, one of the United States' top priorities is to promote the empowerment and advancement of Tanzanian women and girls. 

The fact is that gender equality and investing in women and girls are central to our US foreign policy priorities of promoting prosperity, peace and security. 

Evidence shows that countries will only reach their greatest potential economically, socially, and politically when women and girls participate equally in all aspects of society  in education and health care; when they are protected from discrimination and other harmful activities such as early marriage and gender-based violence. 

That is why Secretary Clinton and the Obama Administration have made advancing the status of women and girls a key diplomatic priority for the United States.

In too many communities, the United States included, girls do not have the same opportunities to reach their full potential: Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate people are women.

Thirty-nine million girls worldwide are not in school.  Too many girls and women still receive inadequate health care and nutrition.  In certain regions, girls are fed last and denied medical care simply because they are girls.

An estimated 10 million girls are married every year before they reach the age of 18, and about 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth every year, which is linked to maternal mortality, curtailed education, and limited economic opportunity.

There are no cultural or social traditions that justify these troubling trends that undermine the development of nations.   Investing in girls benefits entire families, communities, and nations.  The data show that when girls are educated, countries are more prosperous.

Providing girls with an extra year of schooling beyond the average increases their wages by 10 to 20 percent.  An extra year of secondary school increases wages by 15 to 25 percent.

Girls who are in school are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth, have lower rates of HIV/AIDS and other STDs, and enjoy greater equality at home and in society, and their future children are more likely to survive and be educated themselves. Those who seek to promote development must bear in mind the fact that when girls thrive, nations thrive.

Some of the world's most respected economists (The World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report) have found that the  most competitive and prosperous countries are those where gender gap is closest to being closed in a range of areas - including access to education, health, economic participation, and political participation.

Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other agencies, the American people have worked to ensure that girls in the developing world have opportunities to make the most of their lives and contribute to their communities.  Between 2009 and 2011, the United States helped 84 million girls to go to school around the world. 

We are working to strengthen students’ reading skills, to train teachers to be more gender-sensitive in the classroom, to develop textbooks that demonstrate gender equality and to provide training that will equip them for 21st Century jobs. 

From Malawi to Yemen to Tajikistan, our Safe Schools program is working with teachers, administrators, students and parents to make school environments free from gender-based violence and safer for girls. 

We are working with local community organizations to persuade families not to force their daughters into child marriage.   And we are supporting efforts worldwide to prevent and address gender based-violence.

Here in Tanzania, I am proud to report that part of our $750 million USD (1 trillion Tanzanian shillings) in annual assistance is targeted at providing Tanzanian women with enhanced access to economic opportunities through expansion of this nation's agricultural sector and to promote entrepreneurship.

Feed the Future, launched by Secretary Clinton during her visit to Tanzania in June 2011, is an example of that commitment.

We are also implementing in partnership with Tanzanians programs through USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enhance health care services for women, including maternal care to reduce infant mortality, combat malaria, and HIV/Aids through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

However, more must be done, especially at local levels.  I have always underscored that programs have more meaning when initiated by Tanzanians for Tanzanians.

This meets President Obama's vision for Africans to find solutions and lead efforts to resolve Africa's challenges.  As such, I urge every Tanzanian, especially men, to actively work in their communities to promote the rights of women and girls.

These efforts and commitments by all citizens should ensure every Tanzanian girl has access to opportunities to meet her highest God-given potential.

This Day of the Girl gives us all an opportunity to pause to discuss these important issues - and some of the ways we can work together to overcome the barriers that might keep girls and boys from achieving their greatest potential.

As a proud father of three very successful women - two lawyers and a doctor - I want the same opportunities afforded to them for every Tanzanian girl.

They are the future and their hopes must be nurtured by all of us with the promise that they can dream big and achieve success through their personal efforts.

Let us dedicate ourselves to meet our promise to them.  This is one of the highest and noblest calls of our times. Alfonso E. Lenhardt is the Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania

Tanzania`s agricultural growth represents case study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (R) exchange views with Melinda Gates (L) when the two visited a village in Arusha recentlyFormer UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (R) exchange views with Melinda Gates (L) when the two visited a village in Arusha recently.

 

The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF-2012) ended in Arusha city recently. The Forum brought together African leaders, agricultural experts, civil society organisations, farmers and development partners. Correspondent GERALD KITABU who attended the forum highlights reasons why Tanzania was selected to host it.
From September 26 to 28 Arusha city in northern Tanzania hosted the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF 2012), building on the recent momentum to tackle global food insecurity.
The forum was attended by African heads of state, ministers, international and civil society organisations, the private sector, farmers and other stakeholders.
Under the theme, “Scaling up investment and innovation for sustainable agricultural growth and food security”, the forum set the stage for African ownership in the next phase of scaling agricultural development solutions and steering investment to build a sustainable, food secure future.
African leaders, organisations, researchers, ministers, permanent secretaries, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, farmers, AGRA secretariat, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, and journalists assembled at the Ngurudoto Hotel, defying the morning chilly weather.
The first to arrive at 7.30 am were the conference organizers, followed by the delegates.
Some visibly seen public figures were the first Vice President of Zanzibar, Seif Idd, Second Vice President of Burundi, Eng. Dr. Gervais Rufyikiri, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Jane Karuku, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International, Jorgen Ole Haslestad.
Joining them from global arena was the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who is the Chairman of AGRA and Melinda Gates, the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates and the host President Jakaya Kikwete. Different plenary sessions ran simultaneously in different rooms, with some African leaders, agricultural experts, civil society organizations, and other agricultural stakeholders taking part as panelists.
Some of them were Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Minister, Eng. Christopher Chiza, AGRA President Jane Karuku, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International,  Jorgen Ole Haslestad, editors from different media houses in Africa, to name but a few.
There was tight security as only registered conference participants who had badges were allowed to attend.
Simultaneous interpretation into other international languages such as French and English and sign language were available. To make the public informed, senior journalists and editors from all over the continent and outside Africa were all busy rushing up and downs, defying their comfortable seats to capture every event that was taking place.
As delegates flocked in the Tanzania convention centre, a group of Maasai dancers adorning in traditional dresses jumped high, blowing whistles. One could see the delegates shaking hands and patting each other’s biceps as they were taking their positions in the soft chairs of the convention centre.
There was joy, sympathy, friendship, and laughter throughout as others thanked God for the wonderful progress made on agriculture.
However, casual glances at trees along Ngurudoto Lodge, one could see the birds swaying smoothly on feeble branches they pecked at and preened their feathers excitedly as they were preparing to life themselves on the crests of their high spirits into the luminous softness of that beautiful day of the forum.
More than 1,000 delegates were in the convention centre. A concrete multi-billion self-contained building with all furnished services such as cafes, media centre, exhibitions pavilions, swimming pool, a huge dining hall, name what! But one could ask himself, why was Tanzania selected to host the AGRF 2012?
Tanzania is endowed with huge arable land area estimated at 44 million hectares. However, currently, only 10.1 million ha or 23 percent is cultivated.
The total potential irrigable area is estimated at 29.4 million hectares with different suitability levels with 2.3 million ha of high irrigation development potential, 4.8 million ha of medium potential and 22.3 million ha of low development potential According to the AGRA president Jane Karuku, Tanzania's recent agricultural growth represents a case study of what is possible. For example, in  Kilombero district in Morogoro region, the yields for maize have recently increased for some smallholder farmers from 1.5 to 4.5 tons per hectare; the yields for rice have increased from 2.5 to 6.5 tons per hectare. The goal of the government is to transform Tanzania into a middle income country by 2025, fuelled by growth in its agricultural sector.
On his part, President Kikwete said that agriculture has always been given priority since independence in 1961. Speaking at the opening of the forum, Kikwete said that the most recent initiative to develop agriculture in the country is the 2006 Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP).
“This is 14-year programme aimed at transforming Tanzania’s agriculture through overcoming obstacles to transformation and growth of the agriculture sector,” he told the delegates.
He said, however, that in the course of implementing the programme, it was realised that it was overly dependent on government financing and support from donors. Unfortunately, the government’s financial capacity was very limited and donors financing was not sufficient enough to meet all the needs of the sector.
“Donor support to agriculture in Africa has declined from 18 billion dollars twenty years ago, to 3 billion dollars three years ago before increasing to the current level of 6 billion dollars,” he said.
The President hailed AGRA for its support on agriculture sector, particularly in four inter-linked programmes; namely Africa’s Seed Systems, Soil Health Programme, Market Access Programme and Policy Programme.
He said in 2011 AGRA supported the Ministry of Agriculture to develop the breadbasket strategy. The implementations of the programmes are continuing to bear fruits.
Citing an example, the president said AGRA programmes have helped to reduce distance farmers travel to access agricultural input from an average of 30 kilometres to 16 kms in the 39 districts where the agro dealer development is being implemented.
AGRA’s support has also helped to reduce post harvest losses from 30 percent to 15 percent in Kilombero district.
“These are no small achievements. We want to reassure those who are supporting AGRA that your money is not wasted. It is making a difference in the lives of Tanzania,” said the president.
He requested donors to increase their support, adding that government will increase the involvement of the private sector to address financial, technical and technological challenges facing agriculture.
“In 2008 my government in collaboration with the private sector decided to undertake a joint study of the situation of agriculture in the country and agree on what we can do.
The study concluded that agriculture needed to be given top priority by everybody. The government, farmers, private sector and development partners, we all agree that agriculture should come first and this is what gave birth to the catch-phrase or motto of Kilimo Kwanza meaning agriculture first,” he said.
He said the government will continue with its facilitation and enabling roles. This includes putting in place sound policy and regulatory environment, investing in research and development, providing extension services and building relevant institutions.
AGRA) chairman Dr. Kofi Annan commended Tanzania for its initiatives that are being taken, commitments and determination to transform agriculture sector saying long term solutions to food and nutrition security can be realised.
He said that agricultural investments must rise to at least 10 percent levels of the national budget pledged under the 2003 Maputo Declaration. The right policies are also needed to increase public and private investments.
Commenting on supporting small-scale farmers, Annan said that across the board, there must be an unwavering focus on improving the productivity and profitability of small holder farmers-most of whom are women.
He said they can be supported by creating opportunities to enable them to move from subsistence farming to running their firms as business, and encouraging community cooperation to empower individual farmers.
He also pointed out that there is a need to ensure they are well organized and have access to seeds, fertilizers, knowledge and markets so they can play their full role in Africa’s agricultural transformation and embrace new technologies to give younger generation’s greater opportunity to play a large role in the agricultural revolution.
However, he said larger farms have also a critical role to play, particularly in testing and disseminating new technologies and providing opportunities for aggregating small holder production for market.
“We cannot increase food production in the speed needed without empowering small-scale producers, so it is high time for leaders to take actions and increased funding from donors,” he said.
Linking food security and health issues, Melinda Gates, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates, called on African governments to take practical actions to improve food security saying that would solve some health issues resulting from hunger and malnutrition.
She said that for a viable productivity, there is a need to empower women as well because they are the ones who work hard and produces more at family level.
“When you look at family level, majority of producers are women. So, we need to respond to what women farmer’s needs,” she said. Annan and Melinda Gates visited rural cassava farmers and a commercial village dedicated to cassava processing in Arusha to learn more about the positive impact that higher yields and increased market opportunities bring to farm families.
They toured a commercial village that is part of the Cassava Village Processing Programme (CVPP) in Meru, an initiative that is supported by AGRA and implemented by Farm Concern International (FCI) in Eastern Africa. The visit was conducted prior to the start of the three-day AGRF 2012.
Melinda and Annan tour of the farms aimed at learning how smallholder farmers in the country are achieving in self-driven agricultural efforts and how their efforts can be transformed and guarantee food security on the African continent.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) also funds the AWM solutions project in Tanzania (AgWater solutions project).
The main goal of the Project is to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through agricultural water management (AWM) solutions.
Agriculture minister Christopher Chiza said that given the importance of agriculture, which has the potential to alleviate poverty among poor people and enhance economic development, Tanzania has embarked on several programs including policy environment that aimed at making the country food self-sufficient.
“Policy environment is a key issue, Tanzania is committed to making this a reality. We will continue addressing challenges so as to unlock the potentials in agriculture,” he said.
He urged African leaders and other stakeholders to make sure they turn experiences and knowledge gained during the forum into actions adding that the private sector has a key role to play in strengthening food and agricultural support systems.
“That’s why in recent years,” he said, “the government of Tanzania has been committed to working with the sector through public–private partnership to enhance agriculture in the country. My appeal to you all is to turn this into actions and in partnerships to ensure that small farmers particularly women benefit from these interventions in a more profitable and sustainable manner.”
He added: “Let’s not forget that we all should strive to make farming a business that would attract youth to agriculture and increase employment. Without new technologies, better seeds and other farm inputs, it will be difficult to improve agriculture and realise a food secure nation.”