Survey: 65pc ignorant of farming drive in Tanzania

03 March 2010, The Citizen
URL: http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=17610

The implementation of much touted Kilimo Kwanza drive seems to be headed to a dead end as most Tanzanians have not grasped the campaign.  A recent opinion poll has indicated that only 35 per cent of Tanzanians understand the Kilimo Kwanza initiative.

The survey which was conducted by Synovate Tanzania and involved 2,000 respondents, revealed that majority of Tanzanians (65 per cent) have never heard about the agriculture improvement initiative.   Releasing the report to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Synovate media and audience research manager Abdallah Gunda said among the 35 per cent who said were aware of Kilimo Kwanza, only 60 per cent of them expressed optimistism about its success.

Some 20 percent of those who expressed pessimism cited the lack of equipment as a major factor behind their uncertainty, 15 per cent said poor education amongst the farmers was the hindrance while seven per cent blamed poor leadership in the implementations of the national campaign.

Mr Gunda said 15 per cent of the respondents gave no reasons for their pessimism, six per cent blamed poor infrastructure while four per cent said most of such initiatives did not usually benefit intended people.

According to Mr Gunda, who was accompanied by Synovate client services manager Jane Meela, the remaining 23 per cent cited climatic changes, lack of funds, lack of experts and drought as factors that could hinder the successful implementation of the initiative.

"Others said irresponsible people in the agriculture sector, poverty, lack of emphasis, poor involvement of villagers and high cost of agriculture equipment would hinder the Kilimo Kwanza implementation," Mr Gunda said.

The survey, which sought to obtain public opinion on social welfare and Kilimo Kwanza initiative, also established that only 12 per cent of Tanzanian population were in full time employment.

The research indicated that the remaining 88 per cent were either unemployed or engaged in informal occupations.

Mr Gunda said respondents were asked to describe their employment status between October and December last year and 17 per cent of them said they were working in agricultural sector with 14 per cent working as part time self employed while 17 per cent were full time employed.

According to the research, 12 per cent of the respondents were students, 11 per cent were house wives, nine per cent were not employed but were seriously looking for job opportunities while three per cent were not employed and were not looking for jobs.

The report further indicated that four per cent were casual labourers, two percent was retirees while one per cent were incapacitated.

Mr Gunda said the survey also established that good employment status reflected on the living standards. The employment status description was divided into four categories based on social economic class.

"The fact that 28 per cent of high class people are full-time employed and that 56 per cent of those who are fully employed come from the first and second class categories proves this to be the case," Mr Gunda said.