IITA–CGIAR, as the One CGIAR Convener for Tanzania, in collaboration with the Tanzania Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)—host of the National Agricultural Sector Development (ASDP) Coordination Unit and the Ministry of Agriculture, convened a two-day National Stakeholders Forum to launch and popularize One CGIAR in the country. Sixty-two participants from the government, private sector, international development organizations, and donor institutes attended the event in Dodoma on 13 and 14 December. The Hon. Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office on Policy, Parliament Affairs and Coordination, Dr John Anthony Jingu, officiated the event.
The forum aimed to clarify One CGIAR, its initiatives to be implemented in Tanzania, and all ongoing bilateral CGIAR-led projects in the country. The meeting also aimed to identify critical gaps of national importance for communicating back to respective initiatives and CGIAR centers to be considered in the planning phases. It was noted that Tanzania is currently working on the next implementation plan of ASDPII. This was timely, so CGIAR activities and programs would be included in the national framework to kick off in late 2023.
IITA Eastern Africa Regional Hub Director Dr Leena Tripathi noted that the One CGIAR transition is dynamic—based on CGIAR’s partnerships, knowledge, assets, and global presence—and aims for greater integration and impact to solve today’s, and tomorrow’s, interconnected food, land, water and climate crises. “One CGIAR is stepping up its engagement and consultations, striving to ensure the views of our valued country and regional partners are incorporated in our research strategy,” she said.
One CGIAR Convener for Tanzania, Dr Regina Kapinga, emphasized Tripathi’s remarks that CGIAR’s engagement in Tanzania has existed for more than 25 years. Previously, CGIAR centers independently implemented their activities, but the new CGIAR is more unified and integrated. It was endorsed in 2019 with one mission, integration, coordination, alignment, collaboration, and joint implementation of programs for a common goal.
In his remarks, the guest of honor, Hon. Jingu, noted the importance of investing in research and development to develop the agricultural sector in Tanzania. He also urged the researchers to focus on finding solutions that cater to climate change challenges for farmers’ sustainable agriculture. “I also urge the national research partners operating in our country to learn from this consortium which has over 50 years of experience in finding solutions to strengthen and develop the agricultural, livestock, and fishery sector in the country,” he said.
The stakeholders learned that the One CGIAR would implement initiatives, 11 of which would be active in the country, including Ukama Ustawi: Diversification in East and Southern Africa, gender equality, seedQual, market intelligence, and plant health. These will contribute to five global impact areas: Nutrition, Health and Food Security; Poverty Reduction, Livelihoods and Jobs; Gender Equality, Youth and Social Inclusion; Climate Adaptation and Mitigation; and Environmental Health and Biodiversity.
The participants also discussed the alignment of One CGIAR initiatives and contribution to ASDP II national priorities. As One CGIAR country convener for Tanzania, IITA has a critical role in collaborating with the ASDP Coordination Unit from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to facilitate engagement with national partners, especially the government and other key actors in the agricultural development sector. This would ensure coordination and alignment with the national agricultural development strategic plan through the ASDP II framework.
Contributed by Gloriana Ndibalema
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