Chairperson,
Governors of IFAD,
President of IFAD,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I feel deeply honored to have this opportunity to address the Thirty-Fourth Session of the Governing Council of IFAD. The Council is taking place at a time when the global community is highly concerned with the food price volatility and extreme weather pattern affecting the livelihood of many in terms of their food security and nutrition. Agriculture is seen by many to be able to play a resilience role.

Chairperson, in Tanzania, agriculture continues to play a critical role in the country’s economic development. Therefore, it has been given a high political will and leadership. In 2009 the President of the United Republic of Tanzania launched a national agenda named as “Agricultural First” popularly known as “KILIMO KWANZA” as national resolve. Through this national coordination of planning, resources towards transforming the sector will be made possible. This is expected to accelerate implementation of the Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP) through more involvement of the private sector.

In July 2010, Tanzania signed CAADP Compact and process of preparing comprehensive investment plan that will take on board synergies and complementaries of other initiatives such as Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGGOT), Feed the Future Programme, Bread Basket Initiatives and the current Marketing Infrastructure and Value addition and Rural Finance (MIVARF) to be co funded by IFAD, AfDB and AGRA.

Chairperson, IFAD’s role in agricultural development in the world, particularly in developing countries is recognized. In my country for example, IFAD is one of the key partner in the implementation of Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP). Since its implementation in 2006, IFAD is the second largest contributor to the ASDP pooled funding.

Chairperson, sustainability of achievements made from IFAD funded projects was a challenge as in some cases, after closure of the projects, the benefits slipped back due to loose integration into the existing national and local government structures, low empowerment of farmers and weak linkage with partnership arrangements with other initiatives. Nevertheless, Tanzania has progressively overcome these challenges and successes are being up-scaled countrywide.
 
Chairperson we are happy to note the commitment of members to enhance IFAD’s work in the fight against hunger and poverty by honouring their pledges for the 8th Replenishment of which Tanzania has fully paid her contribution. With this momentum we hope the target will be realized.

We look forward to the consultations of the 9th Replenishment and welcome to the expansion of List C members in the consultations and urge that there is a need in future to further increase the membership of List C.

Tanzania concurs with the review of the lending policies of IFAD and in particular adjustment to the lending criteria to take consideration of the differing levels of development among member countries. Also critical issue related to loan negotiations challenges faced by developing countries should be looked into.

I thank you.

19 February 2011