Mr. Chairman,

IFAD President,

Distinguished Governors,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Mr. Chairman, I congratulate you and the two Vice-Chairpersons on your election to the respective posts in the Governing Council. I would also like to express my congratulations to IFAD on its 31st Session of its Governing Council.

On behalf of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, I wish to express our gratitude to IFAD in assisting Sub-Saharan Africa and Tanzania in particular, in its efforts towards striving for rural poverty reduction through sustainable agricultural and rural development programmes.  

Tanzania is according utmost attention to poverty reduction and more so to rural poverty through implementation of the Rural Development Strategy, the Agriculture Sector Development Strategy and the Agricultural Sector Development Programme.

IFAD is one of our close development partner and is greatly contributing to the implementation of these strategies through its diversified portfolio in the agricultural and rural development; playing a critical role in assisting the government realize these objectives within the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) among others.

Mr. Chairman, global efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger require concerted efforts among us all if we are to achieve the MDGs.

In Tanzania poverty reduction efforts have been guided by the Tanzania Development Vision and, the National strategy for Growth and Poverty.

The Agricultural Sector Development Programme currently under implementation is a Sector development framework based on demand and priority as the instrument for the agricultural growth and poverty reduction.  

I would like to express, our thanks and appreciation to IFAD for being one of the main financiers of this programme.

Mr. Chairman, the IFAD portfolio in Tanzania currently consists of five supporting programme in rural finance, agricultural marketing services, livestock and SMEs.   There are, also grants focusing on monitoring micro-finance institutions, building the capacity of farmer organizations and support to the utilization of modern information on marketing and product quality. 

We greatly  appreciate IFAD in adopting the country programme management approach in Tanzania.   In recognizing Tanzanian efforts and strategies towards poverty and hunger reduction, the IFAD management has also agreed to provide supplementary loan in support of the ASDP to strengthen the capacity of the key sector programme.

Mr. Chairman, since 1978, IFAD has supported 13 development projects in Tanzania.   During this period a number of lessons have been learned which includes:

• beneficiaries participation and the mainstreaming of project management into government structures have contributed towards sustainability of IFAD programmes
• access to sustainable financial services has been key to rural development.

Mr. Chairman, despite the encouraging development progress made by the government, poverty continues to be a threat and a key development challenge.   Fully aware of this problem together with lessons learned, we are putting more effort on improving the economic and policy environment by providing conducive institutional framework for sustainable growth and poverty reduction including:

• regulatory systems, good governance, effective and efficient utilization of development resources, revamping extension delivery services, improving market linkages,
• regular dialogue between government and Development Partners, participatory representation and accountability in rural development strategies and programmes.  

The government is committed to undertake new integrated strategies and implement sector wide approach that would promote sector joint planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.  

Mr. Chairman, poverty reduction and having people without hunger go together, Tanzania will continue to participate and implement IFAD’s Strategic Framework for 2007 - 2010 nationally as well as regionally through the NEPAD - Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme, complemented by joint efforts between the government, international communities, multilateral and bilateral groups and other stakeholders.

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation supports the proposed budget for IFAD for 2008, and is encouraged by the move to devote a greater portion of the Fund’s costs to programme development and implementation.

Last but not least we wish to take note that we have had an enhanced working relation with IFAD through the Resident Liaison Office.  There has been increased dialogue and understanding with Government on various important policy issues, strategies, programmes and the current discussions of the Joint Assistance Strategy for Tanzania.   We look forward to conclude soon the signing of a Country Agreement for a fully fledged IFAD country office in Tanzania.

Mr. Chairman,

In concluding, I thank IFAD:

• for the good arrangement of this meeting including the strategic side events, and
• in its lending portfolio to Tanzania which to a great extent will foster rapid and sustainable rural development and growth.   I also congratulate IFADs President and his dedicated staff for the good work they are doing.

I thank you for your attention