MAFAP joins Policy Analysis Group partners in Tanzania for policy dialogue with government and other sector stakeholders at the 5th Annual Agricultural Policy Conference.
The theme of this year’s conference was 'Prioritizing Agriculture in the Industrialization Agenda for Tanzania under the Second Agriculture Sector Development Plan'. The conference took place in Dodoma from 13-15 February and was attended by high-profile government dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Investment in the Prime Minister's Office (on behalf of the Prime Minister), Deputy Ministers of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, as well as Industry, Trade and Investment.
MAFAP's presentation on the effect of the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) on maize market prices in Tanzania generated debate surrounding NFRA procurement pricing and market distortions, and what should be the optimal storage capacity for the NFRA given its mandate to guarantee national food security through procuring, reserving and recycling grain stocks in cost-effective manner.
The study had been commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and was presented during a validation workshop in December 2018. Since then, the agency has taken up MAFAP’s recommendation to purchase maize at market prices. However, given an immense increase in grain storage silos currently being installed, further research is needed and should focus on optimal utilization of this storage capacity, taking into account government objectives for food security, grain market development, and structural transformation.
As a follow up to the Conference, MAFAP is holding discussions with Government on potential additional analytical support aimed at improving NFRA operations.
About the Tanzania Policy Analysis Group, see here
More on the 5th AAPC in the media
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/5th-annual-agricultural-policy-conference-in-tanzania
https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2019-02-135c63d17e356d6.aspx
https://www.ippmedia.com/en/news/pm-officiate-fifth-annual-agricultural-policy-conference-today