Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Author(s) : URT

The realization of the Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase Two (ASDP II) goals to some extend depends on having in place an effective communication between and among programme’s implementers and stakeholders. In the implementation of ASDP II, communication becomes an important aspect in establishing strategic alliances and partnerships between public, private, development partners and non-state actors. The complex nature of the agricultural sector, which include both opportunities and challenges have been the reason for coming up with ASDP II, which results from the accumulated years of experiences and learning in working with sector.

Agricultural sector continues to be among important sectors in Tanzania for economic growth, poverty reduction and a driver for industrialization. Efforts to promote agricultural growth, production and productivity have been permanent agenda by the Government of Tanzania through strategies, programmes and plans from her independence in 1961. Since 2006, enormous amount of resources have been dedicated to improve agricultural growth through the Agriculture Sector Development Programme Phase One (ASDP I), the Kilimo Kwanza Resolve, Big Results Now (BRN) and several other initiatives including the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) and the Eastern Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (EAAPP).

These efforts brought in some successes which the country continues to enjoy through agricultural sector vis-a-vis food self-sufficiency, high contribution to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP), source of employment to majority of the population living in rural areas and source of raw materials for industries. Despite these successes the sector’s growth has not been very impressive. The major challenges in the sector include the need for increasing agricultural production and productivity through investment in application of improved agricultural technologies, agricultural extension service delivery systems, better market accessibility, value addition, coupled with efficient coordination mechanism and effective communication. Achievements and lessons learnt in implementing ASDP I, have been key ingredients for designing ASDP II. 

In addition, the findings of the baseline study report on communication and knowledge management which was undertaken during ASDP I, and the Communication and Knowledge Management (CKM) strategy document of ASDP I have been relevant inputs for the preparation of this ASDP II Communication strategy. Read More