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Local entrepreneurs:Behold JK`s speech
2008-07-08 10:42:27
By Editor
President Jakaya Kikwete, when he recently visited the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair grounds, called on Tanzanian businessmen and entrepreneurs to look beyond the borders.
So far, Tanzanian entrepreneurs have confined themselves to internal trade transactions and exports of traditional commodities, in spite of the changing global market conditions.
In line with the President`s call, we suggest that one such virgin area for Tanzanian exporters is the sale of organic farming products to Europe and the United States, where there is a fast growing demand.
Organic farming excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators; livestock feed addictives and genetically modified organisms.
It is a means of producing food and fibre, including produce, grains, meat, dairy eggs, cotton and flowers that is better for environment.
It also focuses on maintenance and replenishment of soil fertility, through such means as crop rotation and use of manure.
In regard to the supply of organic products to the global market, Africa has a mere 3 percent share.
In East Africa, Kenya has 1,600 hectares of land certified under organic farming. South Africa is also on the move, with its orchards having decided to go green.
Tanzania is also moving slowly towards that direction. In February, this newspaper reported that a group of 14 local companies dealing with organic farming had left for Germany to participate in an international organic farming exhibition.
The chairman of Tanzania-Zanzibar Organic Producers told our reporter that almost all organic products coming from Tanzania commanded qualities which were needed in the world market.
He said Tanzania produced first grade organic products, yet insufficient efforts had been mobilized to market them across the world.
We therefore suggest that genuine efforts have to be made by individual Tanzanian farmers, various organizations, farmers’ umbrella groups and relevant state authorities to exploit this golden opportunity.
People in developed countries are increasingly becoming sensitive about their lifestyle and health. They are attracted to the philosophy of physical fitness.
However, much as bio-intensive agriculture is lucrative, it needs the teaching and learning of organic farming methods to our entrepreneurs.
Buyers of organic products demand high quality produce and do send highly trained experts to visit suppliers and perform quality evaluation.
Before buying the organic grains, meat or dairy, they will first send in their procurement experts who will verify whether required standards have been met and there is assurance of organic integrity.
This means that concerted efforts have to be made not only by potential local suppliers, but state organs as well, to institute a system that will create favourite conditions for this trade, including the establishment of laboratories and assurance compliance set up.
This arrangement should also ensure that buyers shall be open about the sourcing of the products and will print Tanzania as the country of origin in the packages.
Apart from the organic products of spices, lemon, vanilla, coffee, cashew-nut and cocoa, herbal tea, cotton and fruits which are currently exported by a few Tanzanian firms, there is also plenty of market for vegetables, fruits and fruit juices.
In this globalised world, we have to brace for undertaking sophisticated production of varied commodities, lest we perish.
Indeed, the President`s call is an eye opener to stakeholders that the Executive is open to their creative projects, implying that the State House doors are open to their concrete approaches.
That is how we translate the President`s speech.
However, the bulk of the task lies on the shoulders of Tanzanian entrepreneurs and not the state.
The authorities can only help create a conducive trade atmosphere.
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