TARIPA and the Rice Council of Tanzania A way forward Michael Winklmaier

.... The private sector within the rice industry of Tanzania lacks coherence, leadership and an authoritative political voice TARIPA has been exploring the options of developing a private sector body or alliance A RICE COUNCIL of TANZANIA (RCT)

TARIPA – activities so far ☛ Established a platform for information sharing and cooperation ☛ Networked / linked with a wide range of sub-sector players on different levels and the input supply. ☛ Supported small and large scale rice farmers and agri- business development ☛ Promoted activities of private sector operators, potential and existing national and international investors ☛ Strengthening a market led process for agricultural development

Game changer: Importation of Common External Tariff (CET) exempt rice into Tanzania ☛ Government of Tanzania imports at least tons of CET exempt rice. Dramatically falling rice prices causes 3 commercial rice farms and hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers to incur great losses. ☛ TARIPA approached by private sector to represent them in dialog with Government of Tanzania ☛ Government of Tanzania high-lights lack of private sector organization with whom to enter into dialog

A Case for a Rice Council of Tanzania rather than a Rice Association of Tanzania ☛ A Council requires less time to establish than an Association ☛ A Council is more cost effective to set up and run than an Association ☛ Easier to accommodate various Value Chain operators with differing concerns in a Council than in an Association ☛ “Quick results” and credibility can be achieved soon ☛ TARIPA could later be incorporated easier within a Council than an Association

The roles and functions of the Rice Council of Tanzania would include, but not be limited to: ☛ Representing the private sector vis a vis the Government of Tanzania (GoT) ☛ Working with the GoT in developing suitable policies ☛ Guiding GoT on actions in support of the Tanzanian rice industry. ☛ Lead role in developing and formulating a rice sub-sector Strategy Development Process.

Objectives of the Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Become THE service and information provider to the Rice Industry of Tanzania ☛ Develop greater trust amongst value chain actors and garner 100% private sector ownership and support ☛ Become THE trusted private sector partner representation towards the Government of Tanzania ☛ Incorporate the current roles and Functions of TARIPA within the Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Taking a lead role in formulating communication strategies for the rice sector development

Stakeholder benefits ☛ Coherence and political strength ☛ Speak with authority on sector issues ☛ Participate in Government policy formulation ☛ Strength through “like minded” partners ☛ Improved horizontal and vertical VC integration ☛ Enhanced negotiating power

Immediate Activities (1): ☛ Engage assistant to Rice Value Chain Coordinator ☛ Train and mentor assistant to to develop Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Develop draft Strategy / Work plan for Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Organise RCT inauguration meeting ☛ Legalise Rice Council of Tanzania

Immediate Activities (2): ☛ Develop Dialog Platform between RCT and Got ☛ Develop knowledge base for Rice Council of Tanzania on Rice in Tanzania ☛ Organise monthly RCT meetings ☛ Develop position papers on critical issues ☛ Develop topical papers on relevant industry issues

Thank you!