PRESS RELEASE

For release on May 24th, 2017

European Union and AKF facilitate dialogue for horticulture market system strengthening in
favour of smallholder farmers

Tuesday 23 May; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania It was a productive and dynamic discussion on Tuesday at New
Africa Hotel, where European Union (EU) and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) together organized a forum on
Exploring Systemic Constraints and Opportunities to Strengthen the Horticulture Market System for
Smallholder Farmers across Tanzania. The platform was designed to be interactive, action-oriented, and
participatory, with almost 100 horticulture related stakeholders representing private sector, financial
service providers, farmers, traders, implementing organizations, and donors. This event is part of
Horticulture Value Chain Development project implemented by AKF and financed by the EU in Tanzania
under the Trade and Agriculture Support Programme (TASP). With underdeveloped market linkages, and
little access to improved technology and mechanization, smallholder farmers continue to produce at
subsistence levels. Moderated by AKF and Dalberg Global Development Advisors, discussions in the forum
explored market linkages between various horticulture value chain actors, and leveraging technologies to
increase production.

In her opening remarks, the Head of the Natural Resources section at the EU Delegation to Tanzania, Mrs.
Jenny Correia Nunes said that "Tanzanias demographic and agronomic potential for horticultural crop
production means that it could make a significant contribution to economic growth, employment of women
and youth along the value chain and the reduction of poverty and stunting. Last but not least, there is an
increasing demand for horticultural produce from internal, regional and international markets not least the
European Union."

In his welcome speech, AKF Country Director Abid Mallick explained This event is part of AKFs learning
agenda to harvest lessons and insights from actors who are actively involved in the sectorIt is a sector
which has tremendous advantages for Tanzanian economy and the population at large in terms of
enhancing income, improving nutrition security, engaging women and youth, and creating jobs through
MSMEs across the value chain from input supply, packaging, value addition and processing, transportation
and marketing. AKF Tanzania applies a market system for the poor (M4P) approach towards sustainable
economic development. Since 2014, with the support of European Union, AKF has strengthened the market
system in Lindi and Mtwara Regions for vegetables in partnership with Tanzania Horticulture Association
(TAHA). The project has reached more than 6,000 smallholder farmers through a range of value chain
interventions, including increasing access to inputs, mobilizing and supporting farmer business groups, and
introducing improved technology. AKFs programming is closely aligned with Tanzanias national strategy to
alleviate poverty, MKUKUTA, and contributes to the countrys commitment to achieving United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Access to markets was identified as the biggest challenge by all the farmers who participated in the event.
A farmer from Moshi explained his challenge in accessing the Kariakoo market due to existing cartels by
traders who supply this market by procuring from different regions at unequitable prices.

The event concluded with practical recommendations for market stakeholders to improve opportunities for
linkages between smallholder farmers and buyers, as well as for affordable and accessible mechanization
for agriculture. Recommendations were made to enforce the use of standardised measurements and
weighing scales at village or ward levels, improving availability of quality seeds to enhance quality of
produce, addressing the issue of mixing of impurities in crops such as pulses, spices and oilseeds to increase
weight, support of local government authorities in establishing proper infrastructure or collection points for
sale of horticulture produce, promoting rental or leasing market in rural areas for accessing equipment and
machineries, and the need to build trust among farmers and buyers who are interested in long-term
relationship through contract farming. Service providers and targeted markets must partner and cooperate
on innovative approaches to address systemic constraints within the value chain. The event organizers will
continue to follow up and drive this agenda with targeted stakeholders.

Background:

About European Union TASP

The Trade and Agriculture Support Program (TASP) under the 10th European Development Fund is a EUR 15
million (approximately TZS 35.4 billion) programme. TASP focuses on key commodities offering
opportunities for pro-poor trade in the horticulture, fisheries, cotton, coffee and tea sectors. The objective
is to increase smallholder farmers' income through better access to national, regional and international
markets, by enhancing quality and standards compliance along the value chain.

About AKF

Aga Khan Foundation is a private, not-for-profit, non-denominational international development agency

that works to improve the quality of life of communities in remote and resource poor areas. AKF is an
agency of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international development agencies,
institutions, and programs that work primarily in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia. AKF implements
programs related to education, health, and rural development. In Tanzania, AKF operates in Lindi, Mtwara,
Zanzibar, and Arusha.

For more information please contact:

Susanne Mbise EU Press & Information Officer
Susanne.MBISE@eeas.europa.eu /0753045795
Tahira Nizari - Aga Khan Foundation
Tahira.Nizari@akfea.org