Farm tool prices too high, yes, so?

By Editor
9th July 2009

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda on Monday honoured the ongoing 33rd edition of the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair at Mwalimu Nyerere grounds with a brief but memorable tour.An acknowledged advocate of the ‘Green Revolution’ and a firm believer in the power of agriculture to redeem the world from the shame of grinding poverty, the PM found time for an audience with several manufacturers of agricultural implements.Without mincing his words, he declared that the disadvantages of selling essential items like tractors and other farm tools at prices well beyond the reach of most Tanzanian farmers far outweighed whatever advantages there may be.The PM wondered aloud on noticing that the rise in the number of people or institutions engaged in the production of agricultural implements had not triggered any appreciable drop in the prices of the respective items.That he took time to dig deep down to the roots of the problems he was targeting may appear little more than part of his official routine. However, looked at more closely, it reflects the lessons he has learnt after decades of appreciation of the pivotal role agriculture can play in a nation’s development.Resisting temptations to make stereotyped political pronouncements seldom followed up with concrete action, Pinda stared the entrepreneurs in the face and declared: “Be realistic and charge farmers reduced prices for farm implements so that they can increase production and hence boost household incomes.”He well knew that it did not make much political or economic sense talking about the need to boost things like GNP and GDP without first making people understand the importance of uplifting the standard of living of the individual citizen and of the individual household.We see the PM phrasing and interpreting only a little differently the ruling CCM’s 2005 winning election slogan of ‘A Better Life for Every Tanzanian’.But we also see his remarks take a leaf from the wisdom of Father of the Nation Mwalimu Nyerere who, as long ago as August 21, 1964, made most apt comments about Tanzania’s development strategy.Part of that wisdom: “Only careful thought about our own problems and the relentless application of scientific and objective thinking can enable us to achieve the betterment of our lives to which we are committed. And there is no turning back. By our own actions we have started to push the bus up the mountainside which separates us from the land of plenty.”But he warned: “The brute force of our people’s strength alone will not be sufficient to reach the top. The strength has to be combined with the scientific use of every atom of skill in steering, in coaxing the engine, in changing gear and in applying the brakes and the accelerator at the right moment.”We see Pinda determined not to allow the effort to relax, thus letting the bus roll back and crush the driver and all those others around. Will he make it? Will the government help his dreams come true? Will wananchi rally behind the noble effort? Only time will tell; but we wish the effort resounding success.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN