National Agriculture Policy.

This National Agriculture Policy (NAP) states as its general objective to develop an efficient, competitive and profitable agricultural industry that contributes to the improvement of the livelihoods of Tanzanians and attainment of broad based economic growth and poverty alleviation. The NAP is a result of macro, regional and global economic changes that have bearing on the development of the agricultural sector. These changes are reflected in the national policy framework which reflects the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Chapter 1 includes an introduction and sets out constraints and challenges of the agricultural sector in Tanzania. Chapter 2 explains the rationale and justification of the NAP and sets out its vision, mission and objectives. The general objective of the NAP is to develop an efficient, competitive and profitable agricultural industry that contributes to the improvement of the livelihoods of Tanzanians and attainment of broad based economic growth and poverty alleviation. Specific objectives include: enhancing national food and nutrition security, protecting and promoting integrated and sustainable utilization of agricultural lands.The NAP sets out in Chapter 3 a wide variety of key policy areas and specifies policy issues, objectives and statements for each of them. Areas include: research and development; plant breeders rights; biotechnology and bio-safety; irrigation development; agricultural lands; crop pests and diseases; development of agricultural commodities; food security and nutrition; agro-processing , financing agriculture, risk management in agriculture; youth involvement in agriculture; farmer organizations; organic agriculture; urban agriculture; and bio-fuel crop production and utilization. Cross-cutting issues that are dealt with in Chapter 3 include: environment, gender, various diseases and employment and decent work in agriculture.Chapter 4 concerns the legal and regulatory framework of the Polcicy and Chapter 5 concerns policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation.The NAP foresees national food security, safety and nutrition enhanced through production, accessibility and utilization of sufficient quantity and quality of food. The policy statement on food focuses mainly on production, import and storage of food (para. 3.12.3). Urban and peri-urban agriculture is considered a vital aspect of food security (para. 3.22.1). Production of bio-fuel crops where they compete directly with the national food security interests shall not be allowed (para. 3.23.3).Sustainable utilization of environmental resources such as land, forest, air and waters in agriculture is considered vital to safeguard the environment (para. 3.25.1). One of the objectives of the NAP is to promote agricultural practices that sustain the environment. Relevant policy statements are made in para. 3.25.3.Viable and sustainable farmer organisations in rural areas promoted (para. 3.20.20. Opportunities for men and women to obtain decent and productive work in agriculture promoted (para. 3.28.2). As for resilience to disasters, early warning systems for climatic variability and change shall be strengthened and alternative risk management mechanisms and risk mitigation in agriculture shall be promoted and regulated. (para. 3.17.3).