The Tanzanian policy and regulatory regimes recognise the rights of family farmers through Tanzania Development Vision 2025 which states the need for the transformation of the country’s mainly subsistence farming into industrialized middle income and export-led rural economy.
To achieve this milestone, various specific policy and regulatory measures have been enacted with direct and indirect implications regarding access and land rights, reliable local, regional and international markets, affordability and availability of agricultural inputs and services, access to water, education, health, transport, electricity and other key infrastructures.
However, despite having the above seemingly attractive policy environment, Tanzanian family farmers face a lot challenges. Land conflicts, especially between crop farmers and livestock keepers happen frequently. Both crop farmers and livestock keepers complain of unreliable local, regional and international markets.
The agricultural sector, despite being the lead employer, remains far behind in terms of access to financial services, extension services and value addition as most of its commodities are traded in raw form, thus fetching little earnings for family farmers and the country in general. Tanzania also suffers from poor or inadequate rural infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water distribution systems.