Every year, the Annual Agricultural Policy Conference (AAPC) convenes a range of critical policy decision-makers and stakeholders in Tanzania’s agricultural sector to share the latest empirical findings, assess progress in agricultural policy reforms, share successes and lessons learned, identify remaining gaps and chart out an agenda for future reforms.
The 5th AAPC took place from 13 to 15 February 2019 in Dodoma and the Guest of Honor for the Conference was the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa (MP). The 5th AAPC provided an invaluable setting for the Agricultural Sector Lead Ministries (ASLMs), businesses, researchers and development partners to tackle value chain specific policies so as to deepen the impact on food security, nutrition and job creation in Tanzania.
The fifth edition of AAPC was themed “Prioritizing Agriculture in the Industrialization Agenda for Tanzania” under the Agricultural Sector Development Program (ASDP-2) which taps onto existing efforts by the Government of Tanzania. Unlike previous conferences, the 5th AAPC approach is of value chain as opposed to thematic areas.
The theme for the 5th AAPC captures very well the 5th phase Government agenda for industrialization in which agriculture has to be the driver, as the source of raw materials and workforce, especially for the low skilled labor.
The 5th AAPC, the Tanzania’s leading agricultural high level policy dialogue, was attended by over 200 key stakeholders within the agricultural sector in Tanzania, East Africa and beyond.
The theme helps broaden the industrialization agenda into the big picture of economic transformation in a manner that is inclusive. The transformation agenda captures key elements such as inclusive growth, poverty reduction, food and nutrition security and job creation especially for youth and women. The sub-theme brought into context regulatory reforms that are mostly value-chain specific. The ASDP-2 prioritizes value chains according to agro-ecological zones and hence it makes sense to analyze policy issues in the context of value chains.
Invited speakers delivered over 20 technical presentations tailored to the conference’s theme and addressing value chains including the following:
- Staples Value Chains
- Traditional Export Value Chains
- Non-traditional Exports Value Chains
- Livestock and Fisheries Value Chains
- Import Substitution Value Chains
- Farm Inputs Value Chains
- Farm Services Value Chains
These were followed by panel discussions where key sector influencers shared experiences and shed light on them in the local, regional and international contexts.
Special featured sessions included agricultural sector transformation in Tanzania and the role of nutrition in changing food systems.
Each of these annual conferences usually followed by a report covering emerging issues and actionable plans that will move Tanzania’s agriculture forward. The 5th Annual Agricultural Policy Conference was by invitation.
About AAPC
The AAPC is an annual flagship event organized by the Policy Analysis Group (PAG), an informal and voluntary group with members working on agricultural policy projects and initiatives, academia and local and international policy think tanks. Established in 2013, the group has 20 members and provides a platform for sharing information on policy research and activities so as to enhance coordination, collaboration and synergy. The PAG also aims at ensuring consistency in policy messaging.
The 5th AAPC was hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office in partnership with the Policy Analysis Group (PAG) under the coordination of ASPIRES and PAG members.
Members of the PAG include Agricultural Markets and Development Trust (AMDT), Agricultural Non-State Actors Forum (ANSAF), Agricultural Sector Policy and Institutional Reforms Strengthening (ASPIRES), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Dalberg, Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), Enabling Growth through Investment and Enterprise Program (ENGINE), Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSDT), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agriculture Policies (FAO-MAFAP), Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS), Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Development partners that joined forces with the 5th AAPC organizers include the Agricultural Working Group, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
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