| A farmer sprays thiodan in his cotton farm. Contract farming could entice more farmers to improve their production PHOTO BY COSMAS PAHALAH By Cosmas Pahalah, The Citizen Reporter Dar es Salaam. Though the government has firmly emphasised that contract farming is the way forward in cotton cultivation, there is still uncertainty as some stakeholders are yet to accept the new system. The disagreement between those who are for and those against the system was evident in a meeting of cotton stakeholders held in Mwanza recently. Looking at intricacies of the system, it is evident that it is geared towards assisting the farmers. It also seeks to improve the quality and quantity of Tanzania’s cotton at the international market. One wonders then, why do some people oppose it? The problem might be that some of the stakeholders don’t want to invest. This system needs stakeholders, notably ginners, to invest extensively by assisting farmers during production. That is why during this season, ginners were asked to deposit Sh50 million each, so as to ensure availability of inputs to farmers. It is this amount of investment which has put cotton stakeholders confused. Listening to those who are opposed to the system, it is evident that though they say that they are against it, in fact they are against investing. This is because inspite of their protests they concur that contract farming is beneficial, not only to farmers, but to them as well. Ideally, contract farming is a private-sector transaction facilitating farmers and ginners in collectively investing in land, labour, credit, high-value inputs, education and technology for their mutual benefit. Here ginners form a "platform" from which rural Tanzanians may secure the means of production to transform themselves into productive cotton farmers. This investment ensures increased production of high quality cotton. While farmers will be direct beneficiaries of the increased yield, ginners, on their part, would reap their benefits from the export of the high quality cotton. And the country will also benefit as it will be famed as origin of high quality cotton. According to Tanzania Cotton Board Director General, Mr Marco Mutunga, due to negligence to assist farmers, cotton farming has taken a hit. This has led to low yields of down to 300km per acre while there is a possibility of producing up to 1,500kg per acre. Speaking during another meeting in Dar es Salaam last week, Mr Mutunga also indicated that Tanzania cotton has been getting low prices at the world market due to its inferior quality. On average, Tanzania cotton is sold at between 4 and 6 US cents discount. Lack of investment in cotton farming has contributed to inadequate research on the crop, Mr Mutunga says noting that coupled with low level of mechanisation and inadequate extension services, the crop, which had been the pride of Tanzania few years ago, has been going down at an alarming rate. On the contrary, contract farming is aimed at turning this sorry state to prosperity, according to Mr Mutunga. Some stakeholders who spoke in Mwanza were surprised that there were some people, especially those involved in cotton farming, who oppose the contract farming system, which, if used effectively, will redeem the crop which is depended on by more than 16 million people in the country. A warning has already been sounded that if something is not done to salvage the contract farming system, the crop, known as the white gold, would die as people look on. Its demise would not only affect millions of people from seven regions, but will also have a hit on the agriculture sector, in which it accounts for 25 percent. Because agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, this means that the country’s economy is also going to be affected. A cross section of ginners speaking in Mwanza stakeholders meeting recently, warned that the cotton sub sector will fall into deep waters if contract farming is halted following a wide concerted opposition by some ginners. Speaking at the Mwanza meeting, a representative of one of the major buyers of the produce, Jagan Gopinath of Olam Tanzania strongly advised that if the contract farming model for the cotton sector fails, it would be difficult for private investors to top up their stakes in the sector. It was apparent at the meeting called by the government through Tanzania Cotton Association (TCA) that ginners that have invested billions in contract farming want the concept to go on while others who find themselves short of necessary funding, felt that they were being pushed out of the business because of the heavy investments required. "The best way forward to increase productivity and quality of cotton produced in Tanzania is contract farming, which is win–win for all. It enables the stakeholders including the government to keep a watch at the whole value chain. It is the only viable way. I am telling this based on our experience in Zambia, Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Ivory Cost," said Mr Jagan Gopinath. He added that it is contract farming that has revived cotton successfully in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Added Mr Gopinath: "This is going to be the same case in Tanzania, but if we allow the non investing ginners to conduct a free for all buying without supporting farmers with inputs, we will be taking steps backwards." Sunday Mtaki, a consultant to the cotton industry, also felt that a lot of efforts invested to revive the crop will be futile if cotton farming is thrown out and the nation will have to go back to the drawing board. "Without implementation of contract farming, Tanzania’s cotton sector will be in peril. Record levels of planted acreage achieved this season will not be repeated as without organised support of ginners in securing and distributing significant levels of inputs on a credit basis, farmers may not be able to make it," said the chief executive officer of Singida-based Biosustain Ginnery, Dr Riyaz Haider. While others are hesitant, about 13 ginners and four cooperative unions have already invested in contract farming and facilitated distribution to farmers of most of the record quantities of pesticide and about 30,000 tonnes of seeds. The contract farming system, which is supervised by TCB, is coordinated by the Cotton Development Trust Fund (CDTF), a private-sector agent facilitating input procurement on behalf of farmers, ginners and the TCB. The investment and other actions of these 17 ginners and coops have supported the lion’s share of a record amount of acreage devoted to seed cotton production (estimated at nearly 1.4 million acres this season). Despite the achievement, farmers groups said there was still a shortage of inputs. Last year, these same 17 ginners and coops purchased over 80 per cent of the crop while still reporting significant under-utilisation of their ginneries. This season, they have signed production contracts with nearly 4,000 farmer business groups (FBG) comprising nearly 250,000 Tanzanian cotton farmers. In contrast, about 18 ginners who have not invested in contract farming have signed production contracts with only about 1,000 FBGs representing less than 80,000 farmers. Despite not having invested in the system, these ginners have distributed only a small fraction of seeds and pesticides in this season. Ginners supporting contract farming want the government to maintain an enabling environment for investment by maintaining the rules of contract farming as stipulated by the TCB as they feel that allowing "free rider" ginners, who have not invested in contract farming, will just kill the sector. Some non-investing ginners want free riders to buy the crop from anyone, which encourages side buying from contracted farmers and leads to lowering the balance of scale. Accordingly, if the ability of invested ginners to collect on loans extended to farmers is inhibited by government’s licensing of "free-riding" non-investing ginners, then investing ginners cannot be held accountable for their input-related obligations. Implementation of contract farming has been opposed to the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives by a group of ginners, who have failed to invest in contract farming as stipulated by the TCB.The 18 ginners that have not invested in contract farming this season purchased only about 17 per cent of last year’s crop. Several of these 18 ginners are currently on the "default list" of the International Cotton Association. Some have managed to negotiate and removed from the list and are now paying European buyers for them to be able to continue with the business. Inclusion on such list indicates that these ginners have defaulted on significant contracts with international cotton traders and that these ginners will not likely be able to access international cotton markets in selling the product of whatever level of seed cotton they might purchase if licensed. Here it is not only the reputation of the ginners which is in line, but also Tanzania fame as a producer of quality cotton is at stake. Furthermore, continuing inclusion of these defaulting ginners in Tanzania’s cotton sector may be detrimental to the sales efforts of Tanzania’s non-defaulting ginners among international cotton buyers. This situation calls for immediate government intervention. To abandon contract farming seem not to be good option as it will increase the risk of demise of the crop. Failure of Government to act to uphold the rules of contract farming will result in significant hardship for Tanzanian farmers. For his part, TCA Chairman Mwita Gachuma, speaking during the Mwanza Stakeholders meeting, called upon ginners that have not yet invested in contract farming to meet their related obligations immediately. He said their failure to do so would mean that they were not going to be licensed to buy cotton this season. "We hope that our colleagues will appreciate the grave situation we are in and do something to rescue cotton which supports millions of people and accounts for substantial percentage of agricultural economy in the country," he said. |
| THE HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED |
| ByCosmas Pahalah |
| Everybody is looking for love. When you finally meet the right person, it feels like a dream come true especially, if the search took a lifetime. Irony is, the partner in waiting could be on the look out for something totally different. It is also possible, that he/she could be with you for his own selfish agenda. Forgive my vague recollection of the biology lessons but I’m certain that a symbiotic relationship involves 2 organisms that directly benefit from each other. In parasitic relationships two organisms are in it; the hunter and the hunted. In the perilous world of dating, parasitic relationships are quite a norm; men and women hunt down each other like the soldiers of Persia. Hunter is gunned down Having been a hunter myself (I convey my sincere regrets), I know how what the poisonous arrow does to the prey and in my reformed state, would not wish for that arrow to land on anyone least of all, a close friend. Anyway, when my best friend broke news of a found love, I was excited for him because his luck buffered my hopes. But when I met Cindy (his girlfriend) I knew we had a problem. I am a woman and I know when a girl is into a guy and Cindy was evidently not into my pal. I also know that sharing wise words with a soul in love is like playing ukulele to a goat; you don’t expect a jig from the beast. When I spoke to my pal, I knew he was heading for the rocks. He was giving so much into the relationship yet the girl was taking and taking. He was always there for her but she was never there for him. He spent all his money, time and energy on her but she was ever too held up to see him. Cindy was a user! It was written all over her face. One for the money Nobody likes being used but it’s the new fad, and it is being done for so many reasons. The common reason is sex. Men are ever guilty of this offence, but women are gradually catching up. Nowadays women too are using men to get over an ex, make up for bad sex or as a rebound tool after a break-up. Most of the time, men are okay being used for sex because they get to reap benefits without being in a relationship. A friend once told me she doesn’t really like the boyfriend but she stays with him because he buys her nice things and provides for her. Once upon a time, women were the branded users but men are warming up to the idea. If you ask me, material lifespan in a relationship is much more short-lived than the emotional one. When a relationship is materialistic, ladies, you eventually age and a new hot item 20 years fresher appears on the shelf. Anyway, dating someone for the money is an age-old way to use someone. Strategic self-made unions The insulting thing about being used to cure someone’s bouts of jealousy, is that you feel twice as stupid; the user, exploits you to get back at the real deal he is interested in while you hang in there hoping to win your ticket to the aisle. You are a pawn in a game, either to make an ex jealous, to impress or compete with someone else. Many times I hear people say: "I am with X because they make me feel good about myself." As shallow as it sounds, there are men who only date the prettiest girl or woman who goes for the hottest guy, to boost their self-esteem. It’s no secret that you can get somewhere because of who you know and not necessarily what you do. We’ve all heard of "sleeping your way to the top"; relationships can be used the same way. You could use someone either to climb the corporate ladder or to improve self-image like the "strategic" Hollywood unions between aspiring actors and powerful producers. Some people even get-married to feign the "family man" image to the public. Watch out for these signs How do you know that you are being used? The easiest way to tell is when you are perpetually sorting out a financial mess, accomplishing this task or that. What are you in the relationship: a task manager? It is not fun when you and your partner are on different pages. Bottom line is that nobody wants to be used and knowing you are just a pawn in a game is damaging to one’s self esteem. It’s easy to know when you are being taken for a ride though; as a woman your intuition will be your first warning. Trust your intuition. It is the mind’s alert signal at the subconscious level. We all know that Karma is a bitch and in the end we all reap what we sow. Don’t use anyone if you don’t want to be used. Is it true democracy or is it fragmentation?BY Cosmas PahalahONE could say it is a bad omen for the newly established party; the Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC), for it’s failing to attract support for many who were reached for comments. But on Monday this week a 19th party came to existence in the Tanzania’s political scene, the ADC is more of the break away from the Civic United Front (CUF), one time second to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). This event comes about few months after another party the CCK had received a registration as 18th party in series. Sad news however is the fact that the new party appears to lack the necessary requisites for a serious party due to the fact many commentators do not expect anything new and substantial because in recent times, parties are becoming more of sources of income to individuals. A media consultant, former political editor with The Citizen, and current head for a human rights journalist’s organization, Christopher Kidanka says some politicians in Tanzania have failed to make a demarcation between political parties and interest groups; this then is the main cause of the mushrooming of political parties in this country. "It is strange to find that people are still thinking of establishing new parties since we are seeing nothing new in terms of policies and parties’ agenda except for new names which even though are very similar to those of the existing ones," he said when reached for comments. But without underestimating this weakness, he was quick to add that this ‘bloc’ movement of former members of the CUF has severe repercussions to its existence not only as an opposition party, but as a political party as well. He reminds that there are many tenets that identify a party as an opposition party; these have been lost since after the CUF had decided to form the Government of National Unity (GNU), with its archrival the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). "The lack of transparency in the formation of this Government had left many questions unanswered," added Kidanka. Rev. Fr Dr Joseph Matumaini a lecturer in policy communication at St Augustine University of Tanzania says the turn of events in opposition parties signifies lack of political morality in some of the leaders, he justifies that with the current number of 19 parties, 18 in the opposition might make serious people to ask questions on the seriousness of leaders of these parties if they are not just vehicles to facilitate incomes of their leaders. "I am dumbfounded when I read a newspaper to note that we have 19 parties I was flabbergasted that even sponsors might worry if at all these politicians are serious, or else they have turned their parties into sources of income," said Matumaini. Her reminds that even Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was successful in galvanizing financial support for the then Tanganyika African National Union because there was a clear focus that Tanzanians (Tanganyikans) were striving for having their own independence and this did not count whether these people supported Nyerere personally or not but his political course was not questionable anyhow. The don was critical that if at all politicians have reached a stage whereby parties are used for financial gains rather than service to the people then that is a big blow to this country. But he defended the decision that some people had chosen to move from the CUF because there might be genuine reasons that led them to call it quit from their former part party, and this has to send a message to the leadership that something has gone astray. A prominent political scientist and lecturer Prof Mwesigwa Baregu says it is a democratic right for some CUF members who have chosen to quit from their former party or even to establish a new party but the issue at hand is to look at several repercussions due to this decision as discussed here below: "The move to shift has been taken as a bloc decision which means there was a bloc discontent, these people want to foster their agenda, they want to show their solidarity, and it is most likely that this will have a severe impact to the CUF regardless of whether they will survive as a political party or not," says Baregu. Another commentator who preferred anonymity is a preacher and God’s servant who simply said, "Give God what belongs to God and Caesar what belongs to Caesar" but a few minutes later he decided to give a few comments and said that the main problems with Tanzanian politicians is the fact that people are compelled top join political parties because of the physical demands of the human body like food, water and shelter. "I am sure that it is wrong to reduce politics to the human body demands because this is unethical and could make smart people to manipulate politics and divert it to fulfill their desires by forming movements which appears as political parties but lacking coherent political agenda," he commented. A lecturer in media and politics at the Institute of Journalism and Mass Communications of the University of Dar es Salaam, Ernest Mrutu said that people must be wary of the ‘Mobutu Syndrome’ he was referring to the late Mobutu Sese Seko, former president of Zaire now Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who registered more than 360 parties through his relatives and close allies with the aim of weakening the opposition. However, he reminded that for quite sometime now there were claims from the CUF of dictatorial tendencies by its leadership and this sadden move could have been a calculated to send a strong message of dissatisfaction to the disfranchised members whose voice went unheard for so long. He further warned Tanzanians to take precautions once they discover there is a ‘dirty game’ to further political interests of some people who detests tangible development of this country. "I was surprised to hear that there is propaganda that Dr Willibrod Slaa is an agent of the CCM such campaigns are bad as they can cause harm and intra-conflicts if members are not careful," he concluded. ‘Tuberculosis is not drug-resistant in Tanzania’ By, Cosmas Pahalah Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Haji Mponda, has assured Tanzanians that no known cases of Totally Drug Resistant Tuberculosis have been reported in this country. Dr Mponda was responding to a question by this reporter on findings made by doctors at the PD Hinduja National Hospital and Research Centre, in India’s largest city, Mumbai, who reported that they had confirmed four cases of Totally Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (TDR-TB) at their facility. Tanzania ranks 18th on the list of 22 high-burden tuberculosis countries in the world, as per statistics released in a medical journal on clinical infectious disease, released last year in December. According to the World Health Organization, every year 9 million people are infected by the disease, while 2 million of them die every year. Dr Mponda said the Government is working closely with researchers on TB drug-resistant cases in other countries, such as India and China. "I can assure my fellow citizens that, in Tanzania we have never found cases of drug-resistance in tuberculosis patients," he said. He said the ministry is taking a close look to ensure that the current drugs for TB treatment are effective, and nobody will die because of the disease. Of the estimated 120,191new TB cases in 2007, 56,233 were sputum smear-positive (SS+), due to improved quality of services and evaluation; Tanzania met the World Health Organization’s global target of 85 percent in 2007 for treatment success. However, the case detection rate for new SS+ TB cases remains low at 51 percent, well below WHO’s target of 70 percent. Case notification rates have fallen over the last three years. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is associated with a 60 percent increase in active TB in Tanzania. Fifty percent of notified cases were tested for HIV in 2007, and the prevalence of HIV infection among TB patients is estimated at 47 percent. Plans to expand treatment to HIV-positive TB patients will reduce the death rate, and plans to improve TB reporting systems will improve followup and reduce patient default rates. Prevalence of multi-drug resistant TB remains low, with about 1,300 cases reported in 2007. Management of MDR-TB started in 2007, although preparations began in 2006 with the renovations of laboratories and patient facilities, procurement of new diagnostic tools, and recruitment of personnel. Antibiotics to control tuberculosis have been available for more than half a century. But TB bacteria have shown a resilient capability to evolve drug-resistant va |
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