The Policy Analysis Group Organizes a Seminar with Members of Parliament in Dodoma
Print
EmailPAG presents recommendations for advancing the agricultural sector’s contribution towards creating an industrialized economy to Tanzania's Members of Parliament in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
As the Coordinator and Secretariat of the Policy Analysis Group (PAG), ASPIRES led members of the PAG including ACT, AGRA, ANSAF, SAGCOT and TPSF, in conducting a seminar with members of Parliament (MPs) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The seminar was held on Thursday, 28 June 2018 in Dodoma and chaired by Hon. Mahamoud Mgimwa (MP), Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture, Livestock and Water. The seminar was attended by 293 Members of Parliament and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Tanzania.
During the seminar, keynote presentations were delivered including PAG’s recommendations for advancing the agricultural sector’s contribution towards creating an industrialized economy. There were also presentations highlighting the successes of the SAGCOT initiative and the recently launched Agricultural Sector Development Program. The latter was successfully launched by H.E. Dr. John Pombe Magufuli in collaboration with ASPIRES, BMGF, MoA and TPSF. See our news article: "ASPIRES Supports Tanzania’s Agricultural Sector Development Program II (ADSP II)."
During the seminar, David Nyange, Chief of Party for ASPIRES, delivered a presentation highlighting the contribution of agriculture towards economic transformation and industrial development. This was followed by a discussion with the MPs.
Among the key highlights emerging from the engagement with MPs included:
- MPs urging the need for ASDP II to be discussed in Parliament in order to create a better understanding among Parliamentarians
- The need to increase budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector, review of allocation of revenue from export levy and review import tariffs and access to markets
Photos: Seminar with Members of Parliament on the contribution of the agricultural sector towards industrialization. Left: PAG members listening on during the MPs Seminar. Right: Martha Mlata, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Singida- Special Seats poses for a photo during the Seminar with MPs in Dodoma (credit: Elizabeth Mwambulukutu).
- ASPIRES is currently discussing with the Secretariat of Parliament ways to strengthen their engagement including strengthening their library by making available various policy documents and inviting the Parliament secretariat staff to short term trainings.
While in Dodoma, the team also met with the Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in an effort to align and provide a better understanding of partner organizations in the implementation of ASDP II.
The Seminar with MPs received news coverage in local media as follows:
- 2 July 2018, the Citizen Newspaper “Present ASDP II in Parliament for debate, say MPs”
- 3 July 2018, Daily Newspaper “Legislators endorse ASDP 2”
- 4 July 2018, The Guardian “Wanted: Agricultural Insurance in Tanzania”
