The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday signed a Country Programming Framework (CPF) with Tanzania that will help in improving agriculture, food security, nutrition and natural resources management in the country over the next four years.

The signing event was held here between the FAO Country Representative, Fred Kafeero, and Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Eng. Mathew Mtigumwe.

Kafeero said that the framework guides FAO support and partnership with the government of Tanzania from 2017 to 2020 in the context of UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP II) 2016-2021.

"It draws lessons from the previous CPF and it takes into account the findings and recommendations of the evaluation of FAO's contribution to the United Republic of Tanzania 2014-2016. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders and development partners supporting the government of Tanzania," he said.

Explaining the UN body's contribution and expected results under the framework, the FAO Representative highlighted the four mutually reinforcing priorities of the CPF, which include evidence-based agriculture policy, planning, investment and sector coordination; increasing agricultural production, productivity for food and nutrition security; improving market access for increased incomes; and strengthening resilience to natural and man-made threats and crises.

According to Kafeero, the implementation of the CPF is estimated at a minimum of 17.6 million US dollars to be financed through partnerships with development partners, the government of Tanzania, South-South Cooperation programmes and joint One UN programmes.

"Implementation of the priorities will be through working in partnership with central and local governments by specific linkages and coordination with agriculture line ministries; collaboration with non-state actors, the private commercial sector, academia, and research institutions," he stated.

Mtigumwe commended the FAO support in improving agriculture and natural resources management in the country and pledged full support to the framework.

"Agriculture plays a critical role in our economy and FAO is one of our key partners in improving the sector which remains to be the biggest employer in the country." he said.

source: Xinhua