5th Annual Agricultural Policy Conference in Tanzania

The 5th Annual Agricultural Policy Conference (AAPC) has kicked off in Dodoma, Tanzania, bringing leaders in the area to discuss progress and challenges.

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, lessons learned, identify remaining gaps and chart out agenda for future reforms.

Taking place from 13th to 15th February 2019 in Dodoma, the Guest of Honor for the Conference is expected to be the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa (MP). The 5th AAPC will also provide an invaluable setting for the Agricultural Sector Lead Ministries (ASLMs), businesses, researchers and development partners to tackle value chain specific policies to deepen the impact on food security, nutrition and job creation in Tanzania. 

The fifth edition of AAPC is 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.

Titus Awokuse at AAPC 2019AFRE chairperson Titus Awokuse speaking at AAPC 2019.

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 is Tanzania’s leading agricultural high level policy dialogue and will be attended by over 200 key stakeholders within the agricultural sector in Tanzania, East Africa and beyond.

The theme will help 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 brings into context regulatory reforms which are mostly value-chain specific. 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.

AAPC 2019

Invited speakers will deliver over 20 technical presentations tailored to the conference’s theme and addressing value chains including: 

  1. Staples Value Chains
  2. Traditional Export Value Chains
  3. Non-traditional Exports Value Chains
  4. Livestock and Fisheries Value Chains
  5. Import Substitution Value Chains
  6. Farm Inputs Value Chains
  7. Farm Services Value Chains 

These will then be followed by panel discussions where key sector influencers will share experiences and shed light on them in the local, regional and international contexts. 

Special featured sessions will include agricultural sector transformation in Tanzania and the role of nutrition in changing food systems.

The Conference is usually followed by a report covering emerging issues and actionable plans that will move Tanzania’s agriculture forward. The 5th Annual Agricultural Policy Conference is by invitation. 

About AAPC

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. PAG also aims at ensuring consistency in policy messaging.

The 5th AAPC will be 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 Horticulture Association (TAHA) and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Development partners joining 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.

Join the conversation using @AAPC_Tanzania, #AAPC2019, or #5thAAPC on Twitter.

Did you find this article useful?