The Chairperson,
Members of the Board of Governors of IFAD,
The President of the IFAD, Kanayo Nwanze
Distinguished Delegates,
Dear Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you for the opportunity to address the 35th session of the Governing Council of IFAD and to congratulate you Madam Chair for your election to Chair our meetings this year. I want  to also congratulate and welcome the Republics of South Sudan and Estonia for their admission to be members of IFAD.

Madam Chair,

The theme of the 35th session of the Governing Council, is Sustainable Small-holder agriculture: Feeding the world and protecting the planet. In the context of Agriculture today, a critical look at small holder agriculture in relation to sustainability, increased production, food security, eradication of poverty and protection of the environment is both relevant and timely indeed.
In Tanzania, small holder farming supports 77.5% of our population of 40 million people. It provides 95% of all the food we eat and accounts for 34% of our annual foreign currency earnings. In the year 2010, the sector contributed 24% to the GDP and grew at 4.2% per annum.

Madam Chair,

The emerging realities of the 21st century demands that we look at the questions facing small holder farmers and collectively address them! The continued increase in the demand for food that far exceeds the 3% average growth in the growth of the Agriculture sector is perhaps the most immediate challenge. This calls for increasing productivity in small holder agriculture through routine use of improved seed, fertilizers, pest control, reducing post harvest losses and creating reliable markets for agricultural commodities. 

Madam Chair,

The second tier of these challenges is to do with access to credit that will allow small holder farmers to increase the scope of operations, reduce on-farm labour demand  by being able to hire services, purchase inputs and attend to market needs of quality and timing. Promotion of cooperatives societies and heightened farmer education are key steps in this regard.

Madam Chair,

The commitment of Governments in developing countries and donors to increase investment in small holder farming, especially in the area of infrastructure in the form of rural roads , rural electrification,  irrigation infrastructure, market infrastructure and farmers education is important.

In the face of unpredictable climate, taking deliberate steps to adapt to changing conditions is very wise. Water harvesting, utilization of sub-surface water, use of more efficient irrigation techniques including drip irrigation is very important. This should go in tandem with intensive research to come up with newer crop varieties adapted to changing soil water regimes, heightened insects and disease situations and shorter growing seasons. The production of more than one crop per year and adoption of crop rotation is critical to increase incomes, farmer wellbeing and overall growth in the sector.

Madam Chair,

In most developing countries, private sector investment in agriculture is at the very beginning. The promotion of private sector participation in agriculture singly and in partnership with small holder farming, is critical for our future together. We in Tanzania are working very hard, to promote a Public-Private Partnership in Agriculture which in only a very short period of time is proving very beneficial to the agriculture sector in general and to small holder farmers  in particular. It provides sure markets, increased adoption of improved agronomic practices and helps farmers to process and sell higher value produce.

Madam Chair,

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my country’s support to IFAD and to thank you and the Board of Governors of IFAD for your kind attention.

Thank you. Asanteni sana

Rome 22 February 2012