Zonal
Research Extension Liaison Officer (ZRELO).
Agricultural
technologies and principles are
known and can be adapted to bring a
desired change. At one end we have
the farmers who live in the extreme
poverty and need modern techniques
in their efforts to improve
production and livelihood.
At the middle
there is one very important person,
extension worker, with a great role
of transferring new findings from
Research to farmers for overall
rural transformation.
For years,
however, this has not worked to meet
the needs, demands and expectations
of poor farmers.
ZRELO
In realization of
the fact that rural transformation
essentially requires changes in
farmers behaviour, motivations and
expectations which is hardly
possible unless relevant
institutions and stakeholders work
together, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Co- operatives
formed the Unit to play a
coordinative role.
The main role of
this unit is, therefore, to create a
common ground for farmers, extension
workers and researchers to discuss
and find solutions to problems.
Traditionally, the three key actors
used to meet during Agricultural
Shows, Farmers Field Days, Demo
Plots and Seed Fairs.
Indeed, this was
an entry point for ZRELO. Through
coordination and regular supervisory
visits to farmer groups, districts
and on farm trials, the Zone has
made recommendable progress.
Improved seed producers under the
Community Based Seed Multiplication
Programme are
clear aware that at the end
they have role of disseminating the
seeds and the acquired knowledge to
farmers at a known venue.
District Councils
know that they have a duty to
coordinate and run the seed fairs,
agricultural shows and field days.
In fact, about 90 per cent of 12
District Councils in the zone budget
annually.
Zonal
Research Institute,
Naliendele,
has a major thrust at field level
doing research which is client
oriented. It is estimated that about
95 research work is done on-farm
where they often meet farmers and
field extension workers throughout
technology generation process.
Success of all
these depends on both human and
financial resources to manage,
collective management. In such, we
need to change our direction of
thinking and feel the need to invest
in agriculture which currently
contributes to 80 per cent of
district income
is generated from agriculture.
Workshops to
District key actors and Councillors
on the Role of Agriculture in
District Development and
prioritization process has changed
district budgetary lines from an
average of one per cent to five
percent now allocated and released
for agriculture development.
The main
challenge remains at village level
where funds released by ASDP for
district agricultural development
through DADPS is underutilized as
farmer would not give priority to
important issues in their production
process.
Much need to be
done to promote cooperation and
close links to all concerned in
agriculture in the Southern part of
Tanzania.
