Cash flows, but not to small farmers

Daily News

Published: Jun 05, 2025 07:13:57 EAT | General

WHEN it comes to feeding Tanzania, you would expect agroecology, the superhero of sustainable farming to get the royal treatment in the budget. But instead, it is like that quiet kid at the party who keeps getting overlooked while others hog the snacks. With ministries’ budgets ballooning faster than a balloon animal at a kids’ …

WHEN it comes to feeding Tanzania, you would expect agroecology, the superhero of sustainable farming to get the royal treatment in the budget.

But instead, it is like that quiet kid at the party who keeps getting overlooked while others hog the snacks. With ministries’ budgets ballooning faster than a balloon animal at a kids’ party, agroecology is still waiting for its slice of the pie.

So, what gives? Let us unpack how the government’s money dance is shaping the future of farming and why agroecology deserves to crash the party in style.

For that matter, stakeholders in integrated agriculture across Mainland Tanzania have urged the government, through five key ministries, to allocate a specific budget for agroecology (integrated agriculture), citing its proven positive impact on smallholder farmers.

This recommendation was made during a one-day meeting held in Dodoma, where the stakeholders came together to review and discuss the budgets of five ministries that directly influence the agricultural sector.

These ministries include the Ministry of Agriculture; Livestock and Fisheries; Natural Resources and Tourism; President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG or TAMISEMI) and Vice President’s Office – Union and Environment.

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Presenting the stakeholders’ recommendations, Nemence Iriyo, Executive Director of the Civic Social Protection Foundation (CSP), explained that the organization, with support from Vi Agroforestry, convened this forum to analyze and provide policy guidance to decision-makers in these five ministries.

He stated that CSP has been consistently reviewing national budgets and advising the government. This time, they focused on ensuring that agroecology receives the attention it deserves.

“We have been doing budget analysis for several years now. What we have noticed is that although the budgets of these ministries have increased, especially Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Environment agroecology still lacks strong policy push,” said Iriyo.

Iriyo pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture saw its budget increase from 294bn/- in 2021/22 to TZS 1.2tr/- in 2025/26, representing a 379 per cent increase.

Interestingly, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism showed a budget drop from 571bn/- to 359bn/-, a decline of about 31 per cent. Yet, despite these rising figures, agroecology remains underfunded and underprioritized.

“This analysis gives us a clear picture. Despite budget increases, agroecology is not getting enough attention. We urge the government to reconsider how these budgets are allocated so that they generate more meaningful results for farmers,” Iriyo emphasized.

What needs to be done? Abdallah Mkindi, National Coordinator for the Tanzania Biodiversity Network (TABIO), emphasized that agroecology implementation requires joint effort across all five ministries. He recommended that 10 per cent of the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget be set aside specifically for agroecology, in line with the Malabo Declaration.

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“We urge the ministries to align their planning and budgeting processes to ensure harmony and impact in agricultural policy implementation,” said Mkindi.

He further advised that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, which oversees the National Agroecology Strategy, should be empowered through a dedicated fund to ensure the strategy is fully implemented.

Stakeholders also called for agroecology to be integrated into various national plans and funds—including forestry programs—to promote ecosystem-based farming methods and environmental resilience. Edina Mwasile, Project Coordinator for the Agriculture for Better Nutrition program, emphasized the importance of cross-sector coordination at all levels from agriculture and livestock to forestry, natural resources, and environment.

“Agroecology can succeed if local leaders, from village to council level, fully understand and embrace its vision and strategic direction,” she stated.

Pesa Kusaga from PELUM Tanzania added that the government should create a clear national guideline for agroecology, to guide agricultural officers in field implementation. He also called for awareness and encouragement of tree planting along farm borders, a traditional agroecological practice that enhances biodiversity and improves soil health.

“The government should also offer incentives and subsidies to farmers who practice agroecology,” Kusaga urged.

Policy reforms and carbon Economy Stakeholders further recommended a comprehensive policy review to ensure agroecology is mainstreamed effectively and delivers tangible benefits.

They also appealed to the Vice President’s Office (Environment) to develop a carbon market framework, which would guide community participation and ensure sustainable economic returns for those contributing to climate mitigation through eco-friendly agriculture.

Agroecology is not charity, it is a smart, sustainable, and scientifically supported way to boost food security, soil health, and climate resilience. While the government is making commendable budget increases in various ministries, stakeholders argue that

“money is not the problem, it is where the money goes. By aligning the efforts of these five ministries, Tanzania could transform smallholder agriculture into a climate-smart, nutritionsensitive, and economically viable sector. Stakeholders have spoken. The next step is up to the government: Will it put its budget where the future of farming lies?