LEAT@20 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

Endelea kufuatilia matukio katika picha jinsi Chama cha Wanasheria  Watetezi wa Mazingira walivyosherehekea miaka 20 ya taasisi yetu.

LEAT 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Wanasheria watetezi wa mazingira wakifanya usafi katika mtaa wa mazingira, Mikocheni B. Moja ya shughuli muhimu za maadhimisho ya Miaka 20 ya UHai wa taasisi hii ( LEAT)

MIAKA 20 YA LEAT

Tarehe 28 Aprili 2014 ilikuwa ni siku ya furaha sana kwa Chama cha wanasheria watetezi wa mazingira(LEAT) kwani ilifikisha miaka ishirini wa uhai wa taasisi hii. Imekuwa ni miaka 20 ya huduma kwa watanzania na mazingira yao.Imewezesha wanasheria-mazingira kushirikiana na wanasheria wengine ndani na nje ya nchiyetu kupambana na uharibifu wa mazingira, kukuza uelewawa sheria za mazingira katika nchi yetu na kutoa msaada wa klisheria kwa waathirika wa uharibifu wa mazingira. Kuanzishwa kwa LEAT mnamo miaka 20 iliyopita. kilikuwa kitu cha aina yake kwani LEAT ndiyo asasi ya kwanza ya wanasheria yenye kutetea utunzwaji na ulundwaji wa mazingira kwa maslahi ya jamii na nchi kuanzishwa Tanzania. LEAT ilipoanzishwa ilikumbana na changamoto mbalimbali ikiwa ni pamoja na kutokuwepo kwa sheria mama ya mazingira nchini, kutokuwepokwa taasisi ya kiserikali yenye jukumu la mwisho katika utunzwaji wa mazingiranchini. Mazingira yalitunzwa kwa mazoea na si kwa sheria ukiondoa maeneo ya hifadhi za kitaifa za misitu na wanyamapori. Katika kipindi cha miaka 20 mengi yamebadilikana mengine bado hayajabadilika. Hivi sasa nchi yetu ina Sheria mwongozo ya mazingira, na Baraza la Usimamizi wa mazingira(NEMC). Hiyo ni hatua kubwa na ambacho hakijabadilika ni uchafuzi wa mazingira. Licha ya kutungwa kwa sheria ya mazingira na NEMC bado utunzaji wetu wa wa mazingira ni mbaya.Makazi yetu mengi ni machafu,Nyumba zinajengwa bila kufuata na kuheshimu kanuni za mipango miji na matumizi ya ardhi. Kibaya zaidi ni kuwa taasisi za kiserikali za mazingirazimekuwa zikifanya usimamizi wa mazingira kwa njia ya kushikizia. Miaka 20 ya LEAT imekuwa na changamoto zake ikiwa ni pamoja kutokukubalika kwa yale inayoyapigania katika baadhi ya taasisi za serikali na makampuni binafsi. Kwa mfano kampeni zake za kupigania haki za wachimbaji wadogo wa Bulyanhulu haikupokelewa vizuri na serikali kitu ambacho kilisababisha baadhi ya viongozi na wafanyakazi wa LEAT kuweka ndani na kufunguliwa kesi ya uchochezi. Aidha LEAT nusura ifutiwe usajili wake. Changamoto hizi zilisababisha LEAT kubadili muundo wake na kuwa kampuni isiyon na hisa na hivyo kupata kinga ya kisheria.Ufutwaji wake unaweza kutokea tu kama wanachama wataamua hivyo au kufutwa na mahakama baada ya taratibu zote za kuendeshwa kesi kufuatwa. Changamoto nyingine ni Rasilimali watu na pesa. LEAT imekumbana na changamoto hii ambayo imekuwa ni kikwazo kikubwa katika kutoa huduma huduma zake kwa watu wengi. LEAT Inapenda kutoa rai wa wafadhili mbalimbali ndani na nje ya nchi kuiunga mkono LEATkwa kutoa ufadhili utakaoiwezesha kufanya mambo mengi makubwa katika nchi yetu. LEAT inapenda kuwashukuru wafadhili wote ambao wameiunga mkono kwa kipindi chote ca miaka 20 ya uhai wake. Ufadhili wao umeiwezesha LEAT kufanya tafiti muhimu za Sheria -mazingira, Sera za maliasili na mazingira, madini,misitu,wanyamapori,na mabadiliko ya mfumo-hewa na majira kwa upande mmoja na kuweza kutoa msaada wa kisheriakwa jamii mbalimbali hapa nchini.Umewezesha wafanyakazi wake kupata mafunzo mengi ya masuala ya kisheria na mazingira ikiwa ni pamoja na shahada za uzamili. LEAT inawahakikishia wafadhili kuwa inathamini sana ufadhili wao na itahakikisha kuwa inatumia ufadhili na ruzuku kutoka kwao kukuza na kuendeleza maslahi ya umma.

TAARIFA KWA UMMA: WARSHA YA KITAIFA YA WADAU WA KILIMO

TAARIFA KWA UMMA

Warsha ya Kitaifa ya Wadau wa Kilimo

Jumanne, Tarehe 24 Julai 2012

UTANGULIZI

Wadau mbalimbali wa kilimo kutoka Taasisi zisizo Kiserikali, vikundi vya wakulima, wanataaluma, wakulima na wawakilishi wa serikali za mitaa, kutoka mikoa ya Morogoro, Shinyanga, Iringa, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Pwani,Singida, Tabora, Kilimanjaro, Arusha na Dodoma, wamekutana mkoani Morogoro kwa siku mbili ili kujadili mwenendo wa mgawanyo wa rasilimali za Taifa (Bajeti) kwa sekta ya kilimo na changamoto mbalimbali zinazoikabili sekta hii nchini.

Mkutano huu umeandaliwa na Chama cha Wanasheria Watetezi wa Mazingira (LEAT) kwa ushirikiano na Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima Tanzania (MVIWATA).

Mkutano huu, pamoja na mambo mengine, umeibua masuala yafuatayo ambayo ingefaa serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na jamii kuyafahamu na kuyafanyia kazi;

Moja, Bajeti ya serikali haioneshi Dhamira ya kweli ya kuendeleza sekta ya kilimo.

Hii inaoneshwa dhahiri na kupungua kwa bajeti ya kilimo kutoka Billioni bilioni 258.35 mwaka 2011/2012 hadi shilingi bilioni 237.624 mwaka 2012/2013 (Bajeti zote hizi ni Chini ya 7% ya Bajeti ya Jumla)

Mgawanyo wa bajeti katika Matumizi ya Maendeleo haujapewa kipaumbele ukilinganisha na Matumizi ya Kawaida.

-Mwaka 2011/2012 – kati ya 258.35 zilizoidhinishwa Billioni 152 Matumizi ya Kawaida na Billioni 105 tu Maendeleo (40%).

-Pamoja na kupungua kwa jumla kwa bajeti, matumizi ya kawaida yameongezeka kutoka shilingi bilioni 152.41 mwaka 2011/2012 hadi kufikia shilingi bilioni 170.364 mwaka huu wa 2012/2013

-Bajeti ya maendeleo katika wizara hii imepungua kutoka shilingi bilioni 105.94 mwaka 2011/2012 hadi kufikia shilingi bilioni 67.260 mwaka 2012/2013

-Bajeti ya kilimo kutegemea fedha za wahisani ikiwa ni moja ya vikwazo  vinavyokwamisha kupelekwa kwa fedha zilizoidhinishwa kwa shughuli zilizokusudiwa.

-Hadi tarehe 31 Mei, 2012 fedha za matumizi zilizopelekwa wizarani kutoka hazina ni shilingi bilioni 103.06 sawa na asimia 67.62 ya kiasi kilichoidhinishwa (Billioni 152)

-Kwa upande wa fedha za maendeleo hadi kufikia tarehe 31 Mei, 2012 fedha zilizokuwa zimepelekwa wizarani kutoka hazina ni shilingi bilioni 72.63 sawa na asilimia 68.56 ya fedha zilizoidhinishwa (Billioni 105)

Wadau TUNAHOJI je huu ni mwenendo wa kuendeleza kilimo nchini ambayo zaidi ya 80% ya wananchi wanategemea KILIMO?

Pili, Kutokana na mwenendo huu wadau tunasikitika namwenendo wa serikali kupuuzia maazimio iliyoingia yenyewe kimataifa yenye lengo la kuendeleza sekta ya kilimo kama vile Program Kabambe ya Kuendeleza Kilimo Afrika (CAADP) na Azimio la Maputo la mwaka 2003 ambayo, pamoja na mambo mengine yanaitaka serikali Kuongeza bajeti ya kilimo angalau kufikia asilimia 10 ya Bajeti ya Jumla, na kuzingaatia mgawanyo wa angalau 50%/50% kwa bajeti ya Matumizi ya kawaida na shughuli za Maendeleo. Hii ni dhahiri kuwa lengo la ukuaji wa sekta angalau kwa 6% kwa mwaka, haliwezi kufikiwa na Malengo ya kuboresha hali ya umaskini wa wananchi wa kawaida wanaotegemea kilimo hayatafikiwa.

Tatu, Kwa kuwa mchakato wa uandaaji wa bajeti ni shirikishi kupitia mfumo wa FURSA na VIKWAZO, wadau tumebaini kuwa mfumo huu hautekelezwi kama ulivyokusudiwa hivyo bajeti hizi kimsingi hazitoki kwa wananchi. Hivyo basi,

-Tunaitaka serikali kuchukua jitihada za makusudi kutoa elimu au kuziwesha Taasisi zisizo za Kiserikali kutoa elimu kwa umma wa watanzania, hasa wakulima wadogo Kuhusu namna ya kutumia fursa ya ushiriki katika mchakato wa bajeti.

-Serikali iwajibike kupanga bajeti kulingana na vipaumbele vilivyoainishwa na wananchi.

Nne, Tunaona Umuhimu mkubwa kwa wakulima wote, wadau wa kilimo na wananchi kwa ujumla kutumia fursa ya kushiriki katika mchakato wa KATIBA MPYA ili kuweka mfumo utakaotetea masilahi na kulinda haki za mkulima. Vile vile tunaitaka serikali kuzingatia maoni yatakayotolewa na wakulima na kuyajumuisha katika katiba mpya.

Tano, Serikali ihakikishe pembejeo zinawafikia wakulima kwa wakati muafaka, zikizingatia mahitaji yao. Pia gharama za uchangiaji zizingatie hali halisi ya kipato cha mkulima mwenye kipato cha chini.

Sita, Wakulima wahahakishiwe soko, linalozingatia gharama za uzalishaji na kwamba mkulima apewe uhuru wa kutafuta soko popote linapopatikana kwa kuzingatia utaratibu mzuri wenye maslahi kwa umma. Aidha tunazitaka halmashauri ziondoe au kupinguza ushuru wa mazao kwa wakulima wadogo.

Saba, Serikali iachane na sera na matamko yasiyo na tija kwa mkulima. Wadau wamebaini kuwa bajeti ya serikali inalenga kutekeleza tamko la Kilimo kwanza Tamko ambalo wakulima wadogo wa nchi hii hawana umiliki na kimsingi Tamko hili halilengi kutatua matatizo ya kundi hili.

Nane, Tunaitaka serikali ifanye juhudi za makusudi kufanya Mpango wa Matumizi ya Ardhi kwa vijiji na Taifa, na kwamba ardhi kwa ajili ya uwekezaji wa kigeni isitolewe katika ardhi ya vijiji ili Kuondoa migogoro inayoibuka kati ya wawekezaji na vijiji. Pamoja na hayo, suala la umiliki wa ardhi liwe ni moja na masuala muhimu katika Katiba mpya ili kuhakikisha umiliki wa ardhi unakuwa na ulinzi wa kikatiba kwa wakulima.

Hitimisho

Wadau tunaomba wakulima wote watambue hali inayoendelea kwa sekta ya kilimo na tuungane pamoja ketetea haki na kuweka mfumo utakaoleta tija kwa wakulima. Muda umefika kwa wakulima kuanza kudai haki zao, na serikali kutekeleza madai ya wakulima.

Heri Ayubu

Mratibu wa Mradi

THE BY-LAW MAKING PROCESS

LEAT

February 2012

Introduction

The use of law, in its broadest sense including rules, regulations and taboos as a tool to conserve and protect forests, has been used from time-immemorial. The law making function in modern democracies is usually vested in the Legislatures (Parliaments) by the Constitution. Article 97 (1) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania’s of 1977 (as amended), vests the lawmaking function in the Parliament of the United Republic. The law that is enacted by Parliament is what is generally referred to as principal legislation.

The Constitution of the United Republic permits Parliament to delegate its law-making functions to other persons or authorities. Article 97 (5) provides:

“Masharti yaliyopo katika ibara hii au katika ibara ya 64 ya Katiba hii hayatalizuia Bunge kutunga sheria na kuweka masharti ambayo yaweza kukabidhi kwa mtu yeyote au kwa idara yoyote ya Serikali madaraka ya kuweka Kanuni za nguvu ya sheria au kuzipa nguvu ya kisheria Kanuni zozote zilizowekwa na mtu yeyote au idara yoyote ya Serikali”

A liberal translation of the above provision basically provides that the Constitutional provisions stating that the Parliament shall be the sole law-making organ shall not prohibit it, (Parliament) from enacting a law to delegate its law-making powers to any other person or authority.

By-Laws Defined

The laws that are made by persons or authorities under the provisions of the above Article 97 (5) are often referred to as subsidiary (delegated) legislation. Subsidiary (delegated) legislation could take the form of regulations, rules or by-laws. A by-law is therefore the legislation that is not made by Parliament directly, but through any other person (authority) duly authorized by an Act of Parliament.

Justification of By-Laws

The intricacies of law making are usually complicated and the principle legislation enacted by Parliaments cannot cover all aspects of the social problems that the laws seek to address. Consequently, Parliaments, as noted above, are allowed to delegate their law-making powers to other persons or authorities in accordance with the law. Some events that need to be addressed immediately by legislation happen so spontaneously and could not have reasonably been foreseen by Parliament. Under normal circumstances it would not be easy to convene Parliament hurriedly to pass a law to address such an event. In fact, laws enacted by Parliament are often relatively general in scope and coverage, leaving the details to be covered by subsidiary legislation. For example, it would be difficult for Parliament to make by-laws for effective and meaningful conservation and protection of forests in every village in Tanzania!

Main Legislation Governing By-Law Making

Further to the Constitutional provisions permitting Parliament to delegate its law making function, Parliament has often promulgated principle laws to govern or regulate the making of by-laws. Usually, principal legislation provides for the making of subsidiary legislation by the Minister. Aside from the Constitution, other main legislation that govern the by-law making process by local government authorities (Cities and District Councils, townships, municipalities and villages) generally are the following:

•       The Interpretation of Laws Act, Cap. 1 R.E. 2002;

•       The Local Government (District Authorities) Act, Cap. 287, R.E. 2002; and

•       The Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act, Cap. 288 R.E.2002

 Prerequisites for By-Law Making

There are some fundamental matters that have to be taken into account in the process of making by-laws in order for them to have force of law. The main ones may be summarized as follows:

(a) Requirement of Publication

In order to facilitate consultation and participation of the target groups, the Local Government (District Authorities) Act provides that proposals of by-laws be made public. The Interpretation of Laws Act also lays emphasis on the requirement of publication. It makes the publication of by-laws in the Government Gazette mandatory unless the contrary intention appears in the principle legislation under which that by-law was made.68 Draft village by-laws need not be published in the government Gazette, but must be made known to villagers.

Publication of draft village by-laws is to be effected in an open place that people usually frequent before they come into operation. This could be at the market place, local government (village leader’s) offices and places of worship. The intention of publicizing these is to provide an opportunity for people to air their views on the by-laws, avoid conflicts and facilitate a smooth implementation and enforcement mechanism.

Parliamentary Control

The Interpretation of Laws Act makes it mandatory to submit by-laws (regulations) made by a Minister, District, Municipality or Township to Parliament for approval following publication in the government Gazette. When such a by-law is submitted to Parliament for approval, three things are likely to happen to it. The by-law may be left intact, amended or annulled altogether.

Where the by-law is annulled, it ceases to have effect but transactions made prior to it being annulled will be legal. Village by-laws come into operation after being approved by the District. These are not laid before Parliament.

Retrospective Operation

A retrospective law is that which is enacted to make illegal a transaction or dealing that had taken place before its coming into force or to legalize such transaction or delay. Section 37 (2) of the Interpretation of Laws Act provides that no by-law shall have retrospective operation.

Authorities may, however, appoint different days for the coming into force of different parts or provisions of the by-laws.

Enforcement

The Interpretation of Laws Act states that by-laws may provide for offences and prescribe fines. However, these must be specific and provide for maximum or minimum amounts. The Interpretation of Laws Act places a limitation on the amount of fine for by-laws made by District authorities. It provides that such fines should not exceed Six Hundred Thousand Shillings (Tshs. 600,000:00). Again the total value of the forest produce illegal obtained may exceed this amount, rendering the by-laws ineffective. A different mechanism could be devised to get the value of the forest product first in each case of transgression of the by-law and then determine the amount of fine to impose.

Judicial Control

The principle legislation emanating from Parliament, giving power to authorities to make bylaws usually sets out limits within which the power is to be exercised. Where an authority makes a by-law in violation of the power vested in it by the principal law, such by-law could be challenged in a court of law on the basis of non-compliance with the principal law. A number of court decisions have declared by-laws illegal on the basis of not complying with the directives provided for by the principal laws.

Besides making reference to principal legislation in determining the validity of by-laws, courts have also developed a number of principles to ascertain their legitimacy. Accordingly, courts are likely to declare illegal those by-laws that do not conform to or fail the tests of the principles of fairness, reasonableness, clarity, definiteness or where they are ambiguous.

By-Laws for Conservation and Management of Natural Resources

Most of the principal legislation that have a bearing to the management of natural resources do not have a comprehensive outlook to form a sound basis for integrated management of natural resources. However, in some cases most are still largely fragmented and sectoral in nature, despite the effort to make cross-referencing.

Also, some of these laws do not reflect basic concepts of environmental protection. Very few have addressed the issue of community involvement in environmental protection. By-laws, therefore, have a major role and place in determining the direction of the management of the environment and natural resources in view of the problems of the principle legislation, especially at the level of local communities.

Advantages of By-Laws

By-laws serve as a useful tool in realizing the decentralization process and can be utilized to conserve forest resources because of a number of advantages. Some of the advantages include the following:

•       Empowering local communities to determine the manner in which the resources in their areas should be utilized;

•       Empowering local government authorities to levy taxes and fees on resources available in the areas;

•       Empowering local communities to control the influx of people into their areas who could cause stains on forest resources in their jurisdictions;

•       Helping to identify and protect local people’s forest resources which would otherwise be susceptible to alienation or being issued to other people without assigning relevant reasons to local government authorities;

•       Helping to codify forest resources conservation traditions and customs so that they may become part of the laws that govern the forest resources management regime of the community; and

•       Helping to form part of a community’s way of life and enable the forest management bylaws to be understandable by most community members.

Levels of Making Village By-Laws

As already noted above, by-laws for the management of forest resources could be enacted at different levels as follows:

1. The Ministerial level - by the respective line Ministers;

    2. Local government authority level – City, township, District authorities; and 

           3. The Village level - by Village Councils.

              1. Ministerial Level

The Minister responsible for local governments is empowered to make by-laws (including ones dealing with the environment and forest resources management) to govern District and Village Councils under the provisions of the Local Government Authority Acts. The Minister responsible for natural resources may also make regulations for the management of forest resources. He may also make model forest management by-laws for local government authorities to consider for adoption.

                2. City/Township/District Level

Cities, townships and Districts are empowered to by-laws under the provisions of the Local Government (District Authorities) Act and the Local Government Finances Act.

Example: The Environmental Protection by-laws were also made on 18th March 2011 by the Ilala District Council under the Local Government (District) Authorities Act, 1982, Cap, 288, [R.E. 2002] GN. No. 110 of 2011

                  3. Village Level

Village Councils have been vested with powers to make village by-laws by the provisions of the Local Government (District Authorities) Act. The by-laws have to be approved by the District Councils.

7.0 Role of District Councils in Forest Management

The amendment to the Local Government (District Authorities) Act was specifically aimed at empowering District Councils with the mandate of making by-laws to ensure that the environment including forests is safeguarded.

District Councils are vested with powers to approve village by-laws. The District Councils are therefore an important player in the making of village by-laws. They should, with the assistance of the legal officers, be able to give guidance to village councils on modalities of formulation of the by-laws. The District Council’s main official roles in making by-laws are to:

•       Educate Village Councils on the procedure to be applied in by-law making;

•       Provide assistance in drafting village by-laws;

•       Ensure that village by-laws are not in conflict with principal laws; and

•       Help in enforcing village by-laws.

The principal legislation governing village by-law making process, the Local Government (District) Authorities Act provides for guidelines which are mandatory in the by-law making process. These have to be followed to the letter and it is the duty of the District Councils to ensure that the procedure is complied with before approving the by-laws.

Procedure for Villages to Make By-Laws

A Village Council has to convene a meeting of the Village Assembly and cause the proposal of enacting by-laws to be considered. The Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRCs) where they exist may help at this stage. The by-laws could be amended or passed without amendments. The Council has to take into account the views of the inhabitants, if any after publication of the draft by-laws. The Village Council then submits the proposed by-laws together with the minutes of the meeting of the Village Assembly that deliberated the by-laws to the respective District Council. The District Council may approve the by-laws with modifications.

Conclusions

The review of natural resources policies and related principal legislation above clearly illustrates that the village by-laws need to be re-examined, if Natural Resources Management programs are to be achieved successfully. It is also noted that the village by-laws are skimpy. Their attempts to address natural resources management is at a much generalized level. The specific focus of NRM issues by the by-laws is also skeletal. The use of standard formats strongly suggests that the makers of the by-laws do not have a comprehensive understanding of the by-law making process. As pointed out, some of the provisions of the by-laws are contradictory making their implementation and enforcement difficult from a legal point of view. The rules and schedules in some of the by-laws conflict with the text of by-laws that the rules have purportedly been made under.

 

UCHANGANUZI YAKINIFU KUHUSU UMUHIMU WA KUWEZESHA SEKTA YA KILIMO TANZANIA

Na, Heri Ayubu

UTANGULIZI

Kwa miaka mingi Sekta ya kilimo nchini Tanzania imekuwa ikizeshwa kibajeti na serikali kama mchangiaji mkubwa kwenye maeneo ya huduma na miundo-mbinu. Zaidi ya serikali kuna mchango kutoka kwa Wadau wa Maendeleo au Wahisani ambao wamekuwa wakichangia sekta hii kupitia mfuko wa Programu ya Kuendeleza Sekta ya Kilimo (ASDP) na miradi mingine inayojitegemea. Pia, kuna rasilimali nyingine zimekuwa zikipitia Asasi za Kiraia, za kitaifa na za kimataifa, ambazo pia mchango wake unatambulika katika sekta ya Kilimo Tanzania. Serikali ya Jamhuri wa Tanzania imefanya mabadiliko kadhaa ya kisefra na kisheria katika juhudi zake za kuhakikisha sekta binafsi inachukua nafasi katika uwekezaji kwa sekta ya kilimo nchini. Hatahivyo matokeo ya juhudi za serikali hayajaleta mabadiliko makubwa katika ustawi wa sekta ya kilimo nchini.

Mpaka kipindi cha hivi karibuni ni kwa kiwango kidogo cha Uwekezaji wa Moja kwa Moja wa Kigeni (FDI) kimewekezwa katika sekta ya kilimo nchini Tanzania kwa maeneo ya ununuzi wa mazao na mengineyo yasiyokuwa na ewekezaji mkubwa. Ni kiasi kidogo sana cha uwekezaji huu kimeelekezwa katika uzalishaji na muindo-mbinu. Kwa upande mwingine wakulima wadogo nchini wamekuwa wakikosa msaada kwa maana ya uwezeshwaji ili kuendesha shughuli za kilimo kama njia ya kuwakomboa kimaisha na kuchangia kwa maendeleo ya Taifa lao. Kuna juhudi mbalimbali zinazoendelea kufanywa na serikali katika kuleta ustawi wa Jamii na maendeleo ya Taifa ikiwemo mchakato wa kuanzishwa kwa Benki ya Kilimo ambayo inapendekezwa na KILIMO KWANZA, na pia imefungua milango ya Benki ya Uwekezaji Tanzania ili kuruhusu mikopo ya Kilimo. Kwa kuwa zaidi ya 80% ya watanzania ni wakulima na wafugaji wadogo ambao pia ni wahitaji wakubwa wa rasilimali ili kuendeleza shughuli zao ni wazi kuwa juhudi hizi za serikali, kwa asili yake, haziwanufaishi wakulima wadogo bali kundi dogo la wakulima wa kati na wale wakubwa wenye vigezo vya kuifikia mikopo hiyo.

Andiko hili linalengakuainisha mapungufu ya kibajeti katika sekta ya kilimo ili kuonyesha uhitaji wa ongezeko la rasilimali sambamba na kampeni inayofanywa na Chama cha Wanasheria Watetezi wa Mazingira (LEAT) ikiitaka serikali kuzingatia na kutekeleza Maazimio mbalimbali ya Kimataifana kitaifa ambayo Tanzania imeingia kama vile Programu Kabambe ya Kuendeleza Kilimo Afrika (CAADP), Tamko la Maputo, Malengo ya Milenia (MDGs), na Kilimo Kwanza. Maazimio haya yanaitaka serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuongeza bajeti ya kilimo kifikia 10% ya Bajeti ya Taifa na kuelekeza kiasi kikubwa (zaidi ya 50%) kwenye uwekezaji wa miradi ya maendeleo kilimo ukilinganisha na gharama za uendeshaji au za kiofisi.

KUHUSU BAJETI YA SERIKALI KWA SEKTA YA KILIMO TANZANIA

Kwa kuangalia Bajeti za serikali kuanzia miaka ya 2001/2002 mpaka 2010/2011 inaonesha kuwa bajeti ya kilimo imekuwa ikiongezeka. Kwa mfano kwa miaka ya fedha ya 2001/2002 mpaka 2004/2005 jumla ya mgawanyo wa kibajeti kwa sekta ya kilimo ilikuwa Kiasi cha Shilingi za Kitanzania Milioni 52,072/- na Milioni 3,347,539/- ambalo ni sawa na ongezeko la 3% hadi 4.7% ya Bajeti ya Jumla ya serikali. Katika miaka ya fedha ya 2009/2010 na 2010/2011 mgawanyo wa bajeti ya taifa katika sekta ya kilimo ilikuwa kiasi cha shilingi 517,611/- bilioni na 903 bilioni ambayo inaweza kutafsiriwa kama 7.6% na 7.7% ya Bajeti na Matumizi ya jumla ya serikali. Kwa bahati mbaya kabisa msimamo wa serikali juu ya juhudi zake katika kukuza sekta ya kilimo kwa kuipangia bajeti ya kutosha umeshindwa kujidhihirisha kwa Bajeti ya Mwaka 2011/2012 ambapo bajeti yake imeshuka hadi 6.8% ya Bajeti ya Serikali.

UMUHIMU /SABABU ZA KUTHIBITISHA ULAZIMA WA SERIKALI NA BUNGE KUONGEZA BAJETI YA KILIMO

Pamoja na kuwa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Tanzania imeingia Maazimio mbalimbali yanayoitaka kutimiza adhima hii muhimu na hivyo serikali inao wajibu kimsingi wa kutekeleza Maazimio haya, kuna sababu nyingi katika sekta ya kilimo nchini zinazotthibitisha uhitaji wa Ongezeko la Bajeti ya kilimo hata kama kusingekuwa na Maazimio hayo. Sehemu hii itajadili kwa ufupi juu ya sababu hizi zinazoonyesha umuhimu wa serikali kuwekeza katika kilimo hasa ikilenga WAKULIMA NA WAFUGAJI WADOGO ambao ni 80% ya idadi ya Watanzania wote wanaotegemea sekta hii kwa kazi, chakula na kipato kwa ustawi wa maisha yao binafsi na Taifa kwa ujumla.

Kwa ujumla uhitaji wa ongezeko la Bajeti ya kilimo unategemewa kuleta maendeleo ya teknolojia ya kilimo (kama vile upatikanaji wa mbegu bora, mbinu za kisasa za kukabiliana na magonjwa ya wanyama na mimea, na utaalamu wa kupunguza hasara katika uzalishaji), miundo mbinu vijijini, mafunzo kwa wakulima na wafugaji, pamoja na uboreshwaji wa mfumo wa umwagiliaji. Kwa haya na megine mengi ongezeko la Bajeti ya kilimo mpaka kufikia 10% au zaidi ya Bajetiya jumla ya Serikali ni MUHIMU sana kwa ustawi wa wananchi na Taifa.

Ikiwa serikali inatambua kilimo kama UTI WA MGONGO wa taifa la Tanzania, ipo haja ya serikali kuitambua sekta hii kwa vitendo ambayo kwa miaka iliyopita imekuwa ikipewa isiyokidhi na kuipangia bajeti toshelezi kama ambavyo nchi nyingine duniani ambapo kilimo ni kipaumbele wameonyesha kwa vitendo na kupata mafanikio makubwa. Kwa mfano nchi ya India ilitumia wastani wa 10% mpaka 20% ya Bajeti yake katika miaka ya 1970, vilevile nchi ya Malaysia ilitumia wastani wa 20% ya Bajeti yake kuwekeza katika sekta ya kilimo kati ya miaka ya 1960 na 1983. Nchi hizi mbili katika miaka tajwa zilikuwa karibu sawa kimaendeleo na Tanzania lakini sasa zimepiga hatua kubwa kimaendeleo na kuwa miongoni mwa Mataifa yenye uchumi mkubwa duniani.Izingatiwe kuwa uwekezaji wa nchi hizi ulielekezwa kwa WAKULIMA WADOGO. Hii inadhihirisha umuhimu wa Tanzania kuongeza uwekezaji katika sekta ya kilimo hasa kwa kulenga kundi la wakulima na wafugaji wadogo.

MAPUNGUFU YALIYOPO KATIKA SEKTA YA KILIMO TANZANIA

Programu ya Kuendeleza Sekta ya Kilimo (ASDP) inapata fedha kupitia Msaada wa Kiujumla wa Bajeti (General Budget Support – GBS), Mfuko wa Pamoja (Busket Fund), miradi inayojitegemea sekta binafsi. Mpaka sasa kuna Wadau wa Maendeleo au Wafadhili watano katika Mfuko wa Pamoja (Busket Fund) ambao ni Benki ya Dunia (WB), Serikali ya Japan, Msaada kutoka Irish, Ffuko wa Kiamtaifa kwa Maendeleo ya Kilimo (IFAD), na Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika (AfDB). Katika ngazi ya Kitaifa fedha hutoka mfumo wa Medium Term Expenditure Fund (MTEF) kulingana na Mwongozo wa Bajeti. Miradi inayojitegemea inajumuisha miradi ya PADEP, DASIP na ASP kwa upande wa Zanzibar.

Kwa mujibu wa nyaraka za Programu ya Kuendeleza Sekta ya Kilimo (ASDP) kiasi cha fedha zinazokadiriwa kuchangiwa katyika Programu hii kutokaMfuko wa Pamoja kunafikia Dola za Kimarekani 315.5 milioni. Hatahivyo makadirio haya HAYAJUISHI gharama za Mradi wa Maendeleo wa Umwagiliaji wa Taifa ambao ni kichocheo kikubwa cha kuongeza uzalishaji na manufaa pamoja na kutoa suluhu ya madhara yatokanayo na mabadiliko hasi ya Hali ya hewa. Kwa msingi huu gharama za maakadirio halisi ya kutekeleza Programu hii inatakiwa kuwa kiasi cha Dola za Kimarekani 2.1 bilioni kwa kipindi cha miaka saba.

UCHANGANUZI

Kwa kipindi cha mwaka wa fedha 2010/2011 mpaka mwisho wa Awamu ya ASDP ya sasa ya mwaka 2012/2013 upungufu wa fedha kama unavyoonyeshwa na Jedwali hapo juu ambapo kuna upungufu wa Jumla ya Tshs 1,348.31 bilioni ambazo ni sawa na Dola za Kimarekani 1,037 milioni. Hii ni sawa na wastani wa Tshs 450 bilioni ambazo ni sawa na Dola za Kimarekani 348.6 bilioni kwa mwaka kwa kipindi cha miaka mitatu ijayo.

Hatahivyo, makadirio kuelekea mwaka wa fedha wa 2014/2015 yanaonyesha upungufu wa Bajeti wa kilimo kufikia Tshs 8,257 milioni (US$ 6.35 bilioni). Ifahamike kuwa Fedha hizi zinajumuisha Makadirio ya baadhi ya vipaumbele vinavyopendekezwa ndani ya mkakati wa vipaumbele vya uwekezaji vilivyo ndani ya Programu Kabambe ya Kuendeleza Kilimo Afrika (CAADP) kama vile umwagiliaji, matumizi ya machine katika kilimo, utafiti, huduma za ughani na uendelezwaji wa rasilimali watu.

MAENEO YANAYOHITAJI VIPAUMBELE KWA MAENDELEO YA SEKTA YA KILIMO TANZANIA

Ili kuchochea ukuaji katika sekta ya kilimo na kupu0nguza umasikini kwa jamii kubwa iliyo vijijini na mjini matumizi ya umma kwa maana ya Bajeti ya serikali lazima yaongezwe. Nguvu kubwa ielekezwe kwenye uzalishaji wa mahindi, mpunga, mazao ya mizizi ka vile nihogo, ufugaji na uvuvi kama vipaumbele. Uwekezaji katika kilimo cha umwagiliaji, zana bora za kilimo, utafiti na pembejeo za kilimo unahitajika kuongeza uzalishaji. Vilevile uwekezaji katika miundombinu vijijini, usindikaji wa mazao, na uhifadhi wake (ambavyo vinatajwa na nguzo ya Pili ya CAADP) vitahitajika kuongeza wigo la soko la mazao hasa kwa mazao yaliyotajwa hapo juu kama vipaumbele. Yafuatayo ni maeneo yanayohitaji vipaumbele yakihusianishwa na mapendekezo ndani ya CAADP:

Eneo la Kwanza: Uwekezaji muhimu ili Kuongeza Uzalishaji

I. Umwagiliaji ( Nguzi ya Pili ya CAADP)

Kilimo cha Umwagiliaji

Tanzania bara ina jumla ya eneo la hekta milioni 29.4 linaloweza kufanya uzalishaji kwa umwagiliaji, lakini ni karibu eneo la hekta laki 330,000 tu (sawa na 1.1% tu ya eneo linalofaa kwa umwagiliaji) ndilo kwa sasa linafanya uzalishaji kwa umwagiliaji. Kwa upande wa Zanzibar eneo linalofaa kwa kilimo cha umwagiliaji ni hekta 8,500 lakini ni hekta 700 tu (sawa na 8.2% ya eneo linalofaa kwa umwagiliaji) ndizo zinafanya uzalishaji.

Hivyo moja ya mapungufu ndani ya ASDP na ASP ambayo yanahitaji kutafutiwa suluhisho yanajumuisha upungufu wa zana na rasilimali watu, miundo mbinu ya umwagiliaji na mfumo mzuri wa usimamizi wa maji. Hivyo kama kutakuwa na ongezeko la bajeti ya kilimo na sehemu kubwa ya bajeti hiyo ikaelekezwa katika uwekezaji baadhi ya mapungufu haya yatatatuliwa na uzalishaji utaongezeka.

II. Zana za Kilimo (Nguzo ya Kwanza na ya Pili ya CAADP)



Wakulima wengi bado wanatumia Jembe la mkono



Wakulima wachache ndio wanatumia Jembe la kukokotwa na ng'ombe 

Kwa kuzingatia kuwa uzalishaji wa mazao yanayopewa kipaumbele unafanyika hasa kwa jembe la mkono, maendeleo katika sekta hii hayatakuwa rahisi pasipo jitahada za makusudi katika zana za kisasa za kilimo. Inakadiriwa kuwa zaidi ya 70% ya wakulima bado wanatumia jembe la mkono, 20% wanatumia jembe la kukokotwa na wanyama, na chini ya 10% ndio wanatumia trekta. Kimsingi matumizi ya zana duni kama jembe la mkono ndio hasa chanzo cha uzalishaji mdogo na usiokuwa na tija. Ni wazi kuwa maendeleo ya Taifa kupitia kilimo yahahitaji uwekezaji mkubwa katika zana za kisasa kwa wakulima na wafugaji wadogo lengo likiwa kutumia jembe la kukokotwa na wanyama na matrekta kama zana za kilimo. Pamoja na zana za kilimo ipo haja ya kuanzisha programu zitakazowawezesha wakulima wadogo kutumia teknolojia rahisi kupata nishati kama vile jua na upepo.

Kwa kuzingatia uwezo wa kiuchumi wa wakulima wadogo Tanzania, serikali lazima ichukue jukumu la kuchangia kwa asilimia kubwa au kutoa mikopo nafuu wa zana hizi kwa wakulima. Hili litawezekana endapo serikali itatenga fungu la kutosha katika bajeti ya Kilimo, na hivyo ongezeko la kufikia angalau 10% ya Bajeti ya jumla ni muhimu sana.

III. Utafiti, Maendeleo na huduma za Ughani (Nguzo ya Nne ya CAADP)

Utafiti ndio msingi wa uhakika na maamuzi sahihi, na huduma za ughani ndio dira ya kitaalamu kwa wakulima katika hatua zote za uzalishaji, uhifadhi na hata masoko. Kwa sasa kiasi cha bajeti kinachoelekezwa katika utafiti na maendeleo kwa seka ya kilimo ni 0.3% ya Bajeti ya jumla ya sekta ya kilimo. Ushahidi uliopo unaonyesha kuwa uwekezaji katika utafiti na ughani huleta matokeo mazuri katika ukuaji wa kilimo na kipato katika ngazi ya familia. Kwa mfano kwa kila shilingi milioni moja (1,000,000/-) iliyotumika katika utafiti kwa sekta ya kilimo, kipato kwa ngazi ya familia kimeongezeka kwa shilingi 12.5 milioni na idadi ya watu wapatao 40 wameondelewa katika umasikini.

Miundombinu isiyitosheleza kwa utafiti na ukosefu wa wataalamu wa kutosha ni moja ya mambo ambayo hayajatiliwa mkazo na kupewa bajeti ya kutosha katika ASDP na ASP. Hivyo hii ni moja ya sababu za msingi zinazolazimu serikali kuongeza bajeti ya sekta ya kilimo.

IV. Matumizi ya pembejeo bora za kilimo.

Ili kufanikisha, kile kinachoitwa, Mapinduzi ya Kijani, upatikanaji wa pembejeo za kilimo, kwa wakati ni suala muhimu sana. Hatahivyo matumizi ya pembejeo za kilimo nchini Tanzania bado yapo chini sana, kwa mfano, wakati Tanzania inatumia Kilogramu 26 za mbolea kwa hecta, wastani wa matumizi kwa nchi za kusini mwa Afrika (SADC) ni Kiligramu 16 za mbolea kwa hekta, na China ni Kiligramu 276 kwa hekta. Inakadiriwa kuwa miongoni mwa wakulima wa Tanzania ni asilimia 10 tu ndio wanatumia mbegu zilizoboreshwa.

Eneo la Pili: Uwekezaji kwa lengo la kuongeza Masoko

I. Miundo-mbinu vijijini (Barabara, Masoko, Huduma za Uhifadhi wa mazao(Maghala), Nishati, n.k) – Hii ni sawa na Mapendekezo katika Nguzo ya Pili ya CAADP

Uboreshwaji na ujenzi wa barabara vijijini na miundombinu ya masoko ni muhimu sana kwa masoko ya zinazoingia vijijini kusaidia shughuli za kilimo, na mazao ya kilimo na mifugo yanayotoka vijijini.

II. Usindikaji wa Mazao ya Kilimo na Ufugaji ili Kuongeza Thamani ya Mazao.

Usindikaji wa mazao ya kilimo na mifugo ili kuongeza thamani ni muhimu sana kwa maendeleo ya kilimo na kuondoa umasikini kwa wakulima. Shughuli hizi pia zitaongeza ajira kwa jamii za wakulima na kuunganisha shughuli za uzalishaji wa mazao na ufugaji, kwa mfano usindikaji wa mazao huweza kuzalisha chakula cha mifugo na hivyo kusaidia ukuaji wa sekta ya mifugo.

Hatua za ukuaji wa sekta ya usindikaji kwa nchi ya Tanzania bado ipo chini sana na imekuwa ikishuka mwaka hadi mwaka. Matokeo yake ni kuwa Tanzania imekuwa ikiuza mazao ghafi nchi za nje kwani sekta hii haitoshelezi mahitaji kulingana na uzalishaji. Takwimu zinaonesha kuwa kwa sasa kati ya asilimia 30 hadi asilimia 70 ya mazao ya nafaka, matunda na mbogamboga hupotea baada ya kuvunwa kutokana na kukosekana kwa huduma za usindikaji. Katika sekta ndogo ya uvuvi inakadiriwa kuwa asilimia 20 ya samaki wanaovuliwa hupotea kutokana na kukosekana kwa miundo mbinu ya usindikaji.

Hii inaonyesha ulazima wa serikali kuwekeza kikamilifu katika eneo hili hasa kwa maeneo ya vijijini, nah ii itawezekana endapo serikali itatenga bajeti ya kutosha kwa sekta ya kilimo na wizara nyingine zinazohusiana nayo, vilevile kutenga sehemu kubwa ya bajeti itakayotengwa kwa shighuli za maendeleo ikiwemo uanzishwaji wa viwanda vidogo maeneo ya vijijini kwa ajili kusindika mazao ya kilimo, mifugo na uvuvi.

Eneo la Tatu: Kuwajengea uwezo wakulima na wafugaji hasa wakulima na wafugaji wadogo. Ili kuhakikisha mipango ya maendeleo kwa sekta ya kilimo na uwekezaji unaopendekezwa, ni lazima suala la kuiwajengea uwezo wakulima lipewe kipaumbele pia. Kuna njia nyingu za kuwajengea uwezo wakulima zikiwemo, kutoa elimu ya kilimo na ufugaji bora kwa kutumia wataalamu wa kilimo na mifugo, kuoeleka maofisa wa kilimo maeneo ya vijijini na kuwawekea mazingira mazuri ya kufanya kazi, kuanzisha mashamba ya mfano, n.k

HITIMISHO

Tanzania inahitaji mchango wa sekta ya kilimo ili kujikwamua katika umasiki ikiwa ni sambamba na kufikia Malengo ya Millennia, Dira ya Maendeleo ya Taifa 2025 na Mpango wa Kukuza Uchumu na Kuondoa Umasikini Tanzania (MKUKUTA I & II). Pakoja na hayo Tanzania inao wajibu wa kutekeleza Maazimio ya Kimataifa ambayo imeingia yenye lengo la kukuza sekta ya Kilimo , ikiwa ni pamoja na Programu Kabambe ya Kuendeleza Kilimo Afrika ambayo pamoja na mambo mengine inaitaka serikali kuongeza bajeti ya kilimo hadi kufikia angalau asilimia 10 ya Bajeti ya Taifa, na kuelekeza sehemu kubwa ya Bajeti hiyo katika Miradi ya maendeleo, na kuiwezesha kukua sekta hii kwa asilimia 6. Hili litafanikiwa iwapo nguvu ya kirasilimali (Bajeti) itaongezwa katika shughuli za maendeleo ya kilimo na kuweka kipaumbele kwa wakulima na wafugaji wadogo.