ONE’s first petition in Africa delivered to President Kikwete in Tanzania
“Farming is the future. Famines should be consigned to history.”
A group of smallholder farmers and ordinary African citizens marched to the State House in Tanzania today, to deliver a petition signed by more than 16,000 African ONE members. This was the first time Tanzanian President Kikwete had received a continent wide petition, and the first time ONE had delivered a petition on African soil.
ONE members and partner organisations march to State House
President Jakaya Kikwete captured the soul of the event when he explained its importance, saying:
“It is important because it reminds us that Agriculture is the life-blood of our country, sustaining our people in towns and villages and meeting their basic needs.”
ONE’s Dr Sipho Moyo presents the petition to President Kikwete
Mrisho Mpoto (aka MJOMBA) a famous East African poet, agreed:
“Hunger is not acceptable. Hunger makes people suffer, affects child’s mental growth, diminishes the honour of the family and nation. World leaders have a role to play. Invest in agriculture, support the future generation and attain the MDGs”
The petition calls on African leaders to provide greater food security for ordinary Africans by investing more in support for smallholder farmers. ANSAF, (Agricultural Non State Actors Forum), who have been key partners in the Hungry No More campaign, were also present. Campaigners called on President Jakaya Kikwete to take the lead on investment in sustainable agriculture, setting the standard for other African Heads of State.
Dr. Sipho S. Moyo, Africa Director at ONE, said:
“If you want to reduce poverty, you need to go where poverty is. Reducing poverty will mean targeting investments towards smallholders in order to employ local labor, supply local markets and spend earnings in local markets which creates multiplier effects in rural economies, improves local food self-sufficiency and reduces rural inequality.
This is why President Jakaya Kikwete’s government commitment to continue focusing on building an enabling environment for smallholder farmers, is encouraging. Currently only 7 African countries have kept their promise to do 10% – this number must increase by the tenth anniversary in 2013, and we are delighted Tanzania is leading the way”.
The petition also challenges African leaders to demonstrate their resolve in tackling famine and other agriculture related problems on the continent by:
- Targeting investments in small-holder farmers (especially women) and encouraging sustainable private resources for agricultural development
- Fulfilling the 2003 Maputo Declaration on Agriculture, which called for 10% budget allocated to Agriculture and Rural Development
- Improving transparency and accountability in budget and expenditure processes so progress towards achieve the Maputo Declaration and the Comprehensive Agricultural Development Programme can be monitored
The petition is part of a campaign led by ONE in Africa, ANSAF and other African partners stressing on the importance of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than three-quarters of the poor live outside of urban centres and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Audax Rukonge, ANSAF’s Executive director said:
“MKUKUTA and the Tanzania Five Year Development Plan commits the government to address food insecurity and poverty, among others. In the Tanzanian context, and probably most of African countries, poverty is a rural phenomenon, and agriculture is the main livelihood source. Tanzania can attain some of the Millennium Development as well as MKUKUTA Goals if we invest in agriculture and particularly smallholder farmers. Let us increase the share of agriculture that benefits smallholders and transform the sector for equitable economic growth”.
Studies show that in 2010 agriculture contributed at least 24% to Tanzania’s GDP, accounted for 60% of its labor and provided 34% of its exports. This was far more than the 17.3% contributed by the Manufacturing, 28.2% from minerals and 22.5% from the tourism industry. The strategic importance of agriculture to Tanzania’s fight against poverty is therefore not debatable.
The potential for agriculture in Tanzania and across the region is immense – the right investments now can help ensure that agriculture helps lead the economic transformation of the continent. Currently, Tanzania spends close to 7% of its budget on Agriculture. Nearly ten years ago African leaders made an historic promise to their people, – especially those amongst the poorest – it was to spend at least 10% of the budget on agriculture and farming. Few have kept this promise. Before the 10th anniversary its time they all did so as part of other improvements to beat hunger and boost wellbeing across Africa.
Following today’s event ONE and partners will take the campaign to forthcoming regional events including the AU Summit in Malawi in July.
A big thank you to all ONE members who signed the petition. With your help we really are making a difference!
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
March 1, 2012 at 14:07
This is great. ONE members know how to hand in a petition in style!
March 1, 2012 at 15:30
Keep it up One, Africa needs so much more. Wish I was there!
March 3, 2012 at 07:33
Excellent idea,and keep it up from ethiopia
March 5, 2012 at 11:31
marvelous,I only wish I was present. well done ONE.
March 6, 2012 at 15:16
Hi
I wish I was part of these actions, I feel like I am not active in this organizations, can’t I be part of this ONE team, actively?
There are also so many structures in my country that needs attention, and I can make it happen. Please include me.
great work Guys!
March 6, 2012 at 15:17
ONE… Excellent work! Keep it up.
March 6, 2012 at 15:26
This is a great job God is with ONE and one is going to get the supports of all African presidents.God bless ONE.
March 6, 2012 at 15:21
Well done ONE, I feel proud to be associated…”be the change that you want to see in the world” -Mohandas Gandhi
March 6, 2012 at 15:24
the Lord will take care of his children, no matter who theu are. Lord we thankyou. Amen
March 8, 2012 at 07:17
Susan by his power and grace all that you just said will come to pass……”glory be to him”…
March 6, 2012 at 15:27
Excellent thinking guys keep up the good work
March 6, 2012 at 15:30
Together we can make difference,I’m so happy how this organization is helping African countries.if I could only be given a chance/opportunity to help in person and make a difference in any country it would be an honor to me.good work guys!!!
March 6, 2012 at 15:32
I am very glad this kind of program are still existing in africa, food and poverty cleared ,life would been so easy. For. People. Live in
Africa. Well my regard to the organisation ,more grease. To their
Elbow .thanks.
March 6, 2012 at 15:35
I am delighted to read the good news. Let all in Africa understand their responsibility to ensure that all mouths are fed from their own land. Young adults should be taught the skills to farm the land and be shown how to plan families so that there are less mouths to feed. The future for Africa is bright today and brighter tomorrow if all stand together for physical well-being of reaping the rewards from our own African soil through supporting smallholder agriculture.
March 6, 2012 at 15:36
Dear all members,
Dear Dr. Sipho S. Moyo,
Thanks to you, doctor, I am so happy for you and keep in mind that every thing you do for others, Allah (God) will reward you, I wish that other people join you and contribute to help all the people in Africa, I am Algerian and African in the same time and all people there are my mothers, sisters, fathers, brothers and children, so continue in this way, we need people like you to help who are in needs. Thanks to all of you, may Allah bless you, protect you and help you for other good actions.
Best regards,
March 6, 2012 at 15:57
I am so proud to be part of this worthy cause! Other countries should follow!
March 6, 2012 at 16:04
Hi! One org I would like to thank you for what you are doing for Africa and I have a plan about the poverty. Well I am from South Africa and here we have a very good land so I would like to use our home land to plant corn so each and every year it will be a ‘corn’ year!
I might not have money and the strenghts to do that but with your help and my idea and your help we can do more to help with poverty!
I am really greatful for what you are doi our Nation! One love, one nation, ONE Org!
March 6, 2012 at 16:06
This is a wonderful beginning. Here in South Africa the politically biased land redistribution propaganda has resulted in the torture and murder of over 400 experienced farmers whose land feeds the South Afican people.
There is a move to scrap willing buyer/willing seller and the land is due to be turned over to people who have no interest in farming at all, or if they have interest, no experience in high-yield farming. there is 70% of the established agricultural land there was 5 years ago (of the 30% of farms handed over only 2 farms remain as farms, neither produces even 1/3 of its previous yield).
The SA Government MUST send young people with an interest in farming to agricultural college for the full 5-8 years before any more land is handed over to black citizens – the agricultural land grab scenario will lead to STARVATION – fact!
There is State land which could be used to train black, coloured, indian and even white people to become subsistence farmers, then small scale farmers. They could also be taught hydroponics, which can enable a person to grow vegetables and some fruit in a flat (apartment.
The issue is to produce 20-35% MORE food per year for a population growing at 25-40% per annum – an impossible task for white, established high-yield farmers who have nonetheless done the impossible for a long, long time.
NO ONE without such experience will be able to make the same area of land produce 25-40% more every year.
Africa, and South Africa, need to protect their farmland, and their farmers – for they feed the Nation!!!
March 7, 2012 at 08:17
Dear Lynda
The land in question is not for the 400 murdered farmers as you have stated, if you would recall that 1913 marked the beginning of an era where 80% of the fertile/arable agricultural land was fraudulently acquired by the 20% white minority. This pathetic act forced the majority of people (Africans) to become farm laborers or slaves for that matter.
The Native Land Act no: 27 of 1913 was one legitimate way by the apartheid regime to further widen the gap between the elite minority and the impoverished majority. This act further perpetuated segregation and white supremacy; this was well orchestrated by the forefathers of apartheid to enslave Africans for life.
The land in question belongs to the masses of this land, the Africans! This kind of setting eliminated the spirit of brotherhood we Africans shared, time immemorial. Our livelihood was now solely dependant on the hands of the few whose ulterior motive was to destroy the African race. This is a very sensitive matter which brings goose bums whenever one ponders upon it.
The spirit of uJama (brotherhood) that existed in the continent Africa was adversely impacted upon by the evil forces of darkness (white minority) whose intention was very loud and clear to imperialize and colonize the continent as a whole. The descendants of apartheid who are today called the land owners are not the legitimate land owners, however a mere symbol of continuation of apartheid and its evil laws that we Africans have battled against for so long. The land in questions belongs to my great grand fathers who by virtue of creation are its custodians.
Allow me to bring to an end this echo from my swollen heart due to the vexation I still suffer even today emanating from the gross human violation caused by apartheid.
March 7, 2012 at 12:25
You are absolutely right in everything you say. The problem now, in this present time, is by giving commercial farmed land back to black ownership you need to also equip these emerging farmers with the very necessary knowledge of farming, whether it be basic or commercial knowledge coupled together with the business side, which is a very daunting task if you have never been in that position before. It is no good giving, for example 20ha of land and the stock and machinery that goes with it, if you have not been taught or guided as to how best to use it. I am all for land re-distribution but it must be done in an orderly and educated fashion eg young people must be encouraged to attend agricultural college to learn about the land they may inherit or decide to buy/rent into. For the vast majority of emerging farmers today, who will not be attending a college of any sort, then the farms that are acquired, there must be some sort of educational structure in place to aid and advise in everything from animal husbandry to planting seedlings. There have already been cases of commercial farms being handed over and within a year, output has dwindled to almost nothing, animals have been left to starve to death etc this must and cannot be allowed to happen if you expect the people of this country to be fed, that includes your family as well. We can all bang on about the discrepancies of history, I’m scottish I can tell you a few things in my ancestors history, and there are far too many to write in this email to enlighten you with – I wish I could go back and change a lot of things myself – but there is no point, we need to address the situation as it is now, in a level headed manner and with spades of common sense thrown in for good measure to make this right and to correct a few wrongs in history.
March 7, 2012 at 15:33
Great thoughts. Charity begins at home
March 6, 2012 at 16:12
Keep it up ONE it is for the benefit of the Hungry
March 6, 2012 at 16:40
je suis ravi d’avoir agi pour une noble cause, j’espère que d’action en faveur de l’Afrique suivras.
March 6, 2012 at 16:42
je suis ravi d’avoir agi pour une noble cause, j’espère que d’autre action en faveur de l’Afrique suivras.
March 6, 2012 at 16:53
Exellent job gus keep up the good work.
March 6, 2012 at 17:05
Good Job keep it up, that’s for the hungry Africans. Thank you.
March 6, 2012 at 18:03
Welldone ONE, This is the type of activity that must take place from CAPE TO CAIRO. our continent needs this positive type of approach. Unfortunately the South African Government ( who should be a leading nation in this activity) are sadly lacking. I’m not sure if it is ignorance or arrogance, but they don’t seem to understand the extreme importance of farmers, irrespective of race, these are the people that feed our nations, they should be encouraged, let us forget about politics when it comes to feeding the nations, South Africa should be a leader in showing the rest of the continent HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE … VIVA ONE.
March 6, 2012 at 18:34
We really appreciate for the wonderful work done.Many tnks go to all ONE members to this great events
March 6, 2012 at 19:13
I didn’t know I could make such a difference as a member of ONE. I am encouraged to continue being a member and to spread to all my friends and associates. Together we can eradicate poverty in Africa. Keep going.
March 6, 2012 at 19:39
Y it is a great job! this is the time for Africa to be called the Blessed Nation if we unite and work together.
We dont have to forget that God has promised to Bless our Nation Africa(the SORUSE of All human kind)
May God Blesses AFRICA!
March 6, 2012 at 21:36
excellent job,but take the campaign to all African countries cos there is poverty and HIV/AIDS,MALARIA,CHOLERA,EBOLA and many other epidemics ravaging the continent due to leadership failure and corruption.
March 6, 2012 at 21:44
its my pleasure to see that the great work One keep up
March 7, 2012 at 06:12
Wish I could have been there, but know that ONE is the best spokesperson. There are many more African countries who need you to fight for them. Keep up the good work !
March 7, 2012 at 06:17
keep up the good work
March 7, 2012 at 06:19
Wish I was there! Keep it up One, Africa needs so much more. This news is great and has made my day! Oh how i wish i was there! But i am there in Spirit!
March 7, 2012 at 06:23
Thank you Dr.
March 7, 2012 at 06:39
Thank you so much for your caring love and support for the poor people, may the good Lord be with you all the times and keeps on blessing you all. Please I would like to take part in issues like this at all times and to be hand-on, on a full time basis. My passion is to help other and show love to another as God has created us to love one another and to be there in time sad, sorrow and happieness. Please also include the issue of educaion as it a burning issue for all the nations and countries. Should there be any chance for you to call us to be there do not hesitate to do that to take part in those campaigns to make some difference in other people’s lives. Once more keep it up the good work and God blesses you all richly at all times.
March 7, 2012 at 06:41
There is no other way. I believe it can only get better. God is alive!
March 7, 2012 at 06:43
Keep it up One, Africa needs so much more. Wish I was there!
March 7, 2012 at 06:48
Good stuff keep it up, we have a problem as well here in Namibia, the northern part of the country is flooded and more and more people are being relocated , life has became very difficult and people are suffering of hunger and, malaria, cold, poor sanitation , lack of clean water and many other inhuman condition, if ONE can do the same in Namibia? if ONE could assist where possisble? i hope that is when things will be better again!
March 7, 2012 at 06:52
This is good work and so happy for progress being made. i hope more supporters will join and i hope one day i will be part of it as well.
March 7, 2012 at 07:03
Good work,,,keep it up.Hope South Africa will take the first step.
March 7, 2012 at 07:59
This sounds great and a ONE dream come true!!! Why not scale this up continentwide and deliver to heads of states at AU in Addis Ababa? Food for ONE’s thought.
March 7, 2012 at 08:03
Good work done i think Africa countries will benefit and the poverty will reduce and African people will start filling wealthy
March 7, 2012 at 08:45
Well done Guys. You made us all very proud.
March 7, 2012 at 08:55
Bonjour la grande famille, sans vouloir vous vexer j’ai dû mal a vous suivre moi je suis francophone
March 7, 2012 at 09:40
I am very proud of you. Keep it up…. and God bless!
March 7, 2012 at 10:00
I am very proud of the great work ONE is doing in Africa.
The persistence and commitment to bringing awareness to Africa and World leaders is highly appreciated.
More grease to your elbow.
Looking forward to more campaigns from ONE.
March 7, 2012 at 10:32
Great Dr! Remind our leaders of their promises and that the people of Africa hold them to it . Their need not be any any hungry people on A frica if everyone “comes to the party” !
March 7, 2012 at 11:06
nice job
March 7, 2012 at 13:20
I am very proud of the great work ONE is doing in Africa.
And it is nice too.
March 7, 2012 at 15:30
I’m impressed by the work being done by ONE to make a difference in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. We are challenged to emulate your great example. Keep it up, ONE!
March 7, 2012 at 15:41
Alhamdulillah, with the grace of the almighty, ONE is doing it’s best to eliminate poverty, keep up the good work. But we need to remind ourselves of cause and effect too. Sometimes we might not have the zeal or we might be few in number but if the intention is good, there is unity, as well as our actions are in collaboration to our talks i.e if we walk the talk, then only our goal is achieved.
ONE is trying really hard but are our actions in collaboration or are we aware of the consecuences we are facing today?? the effect of the real cause together with climate change which too is the cause of men’s wrong usage of God given bounties.
It’s really hurting to see that the city fathers actually are stamping / throwing / disrespecting food when they catch vendors selling food items or MBOGA !! By doing so you think we will eliminate hunger?
No! Allah says in the Holy Quran, “EAT AND DRINK BUT DO NOT BE EXTRAVAGANT” as well as “IF YOU ARE GRATEFUL WE WILL INCREASE YOUR BLESSINGS, BUT IF YOU ARE UNGRATEFUL THEN OUR PUNISHMENT IS SEVERE”. One way of being grateful is to respect each and every grain of food; by throwing the food items to scare off the vendors for ‘illegal business’ I dont think God is happy!
The hunger stricken people are trying to earn lawfully and this is how our elders treat them while we then have lots of thefts because people are hungry outside!!
Let us reform ourselves before it is too late to make amends as anyways the signs of the world ending are so visible and so will be the punishment of the Lord if we dont stop our aggression by being ungrateful!!
Let the machingas sell rather than steal!!
March 7, 2012 at 16:58
je suis contente que cette initiative prenne de l’ampleur au fil du temps.les terres d’Afrique sont dotées d’incroyables richesses et je suis qu’avec le soutien de nos dirigeants,ONE et sa grande équipe pourront réaliser quelque chose de bien plus grand!l’Afrique a besoin d’initiatives comme celles-ci et j’espère bien que ça ne fait que commencer!bravo à ONE!
March 7, 2012 at 19:13
I’m so happy by the news, I also would like to say thank to ONE I’m open to colaborete once more
March 8, 2012 at 07:07
We are proud of the organizer of the march to meet President Kikwete on issues of Smallholders that the African countries’s invenstment into soil.This is an ideal,we wish if it could be extended to Malawi’s President(Prof.Bingu Wa Mnthalika) government.
Malawi as a country should emulate from this peaceful march on Smallholders farmers.
March 8, 2012 at 07:14
is good thing that ONE is doing in Africa. we need to keep it up. i say bravo to ONE.
March 8, 2012 at 07:22
Im so honerd to be part of this great movement, i only wish i could do more……………………………..ONE i comend you on what you doing this iz a great couse.
March 8, 2012 at 14:50
Thank you ONE organizers/members.
This is very wonderful! I didn’t know that my vote could have such an impact. I feel greatly honored for this. I feel that the petition will have an impact not only in Tanzania, but also in Malawi. Let’s keep on sharing information. Let’s keep united. Viva ONE!
March 8, 2012 at 14:53
Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 8, 2012 at 17:52
Like me who started the agricultural work at 12, I really appreciate what you have done. Include my signature on the list. Well-done.
March 8, 2012 at 20:02
We are now literally feeling the economical heat in Africa, unlike before where we were able to live through farming…
…even the farming now has been commercialized.
The commercial farming has bounder-ed mostly farming areas which were owned by the poor bought by those with dominance making things even harder for those who hardly afford from shops.
So I think we need to be allowed continue to own our land and atleast be taught the skills to support our families better before taking it to the selling outlets.
AM PROUDLY AFRICAN!!
March 9, 2012 at 10:40
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PRESIDENT TO COMITTY HIMSELF TO FIGHT POVERT THANIS GREAT.
March 9, 2012 at 10:43
Great job guys, I am so proud to be part of this. A difference will and can be made.
Regards,
Jo
March 9, 2012 at 16:54
Great work there by ONE family, i just hope other African leaders will tow the line and give agriculture a priority in their annual budgets and back it up with action. This is a sure way of eradicating poverty and unemployment.
March 9, 2012 at 19:44
There are a lot of social issues that all (africans) need to act as a one person we have saied this one and i hope it will continue. May god bless AFRICA
March 10, 2012 at 13:42
here in nigeria…. am really happy….
+2347044954847
March 12, 2012 at 10:36
I’m proud of you all & myself!!!
March 15, 2012 at 10:49
gooooooooooooooooooooood job!!! keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!