Policy and Advocacy activities
Training
SHIWAKUTA plays a key role in providing training on leadership, lobbying, and advocacy to its members through their respective associations.
This capacity-building initiative aims to empower smallholder producers to speak with one unified voice in defending and advancing their social, economic, and political interests.
Currently, SHIWAKUTA has 32 member associations spread across Tanzania. Through its ongoing capacity-building efforts, SHIWAKUTA strengthens these associations by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and broader understanding needed to effectively lead their organizations.
This empowerment has enabled the associations to operate more efficiently, enhance the sustainability of agricultural production, and contribute to the growth of their members’ economic livelihoods. As a result, the associations are better positioned to address challenges, seize opportunities, and promote the overall well-being of smallholder producers.
Capacity Building
One of SHIWAKUTA’s key roles is to strengthen the capacity of its members through their respective associations. Through various training programs organized by SHIWAKUTA, members are empowered to enhance their understanding, skills, and confidence in addressing the challenges they encounter in their daily activities. These trainings also encourage members to recognize the value of solidarity and the importance of having a united voice in protecting their interests and achieving common goals.
Workshop
Through its policy and advocacy efforts at the national level, SHIWAKUTA has successfully conducted various dialogues, workshops, and national convenings that highlight the numerous challenges facing smallholder producers in the country. These initiatives have highlighted key issues such as land ownership, access to markets, and the role of small-scale farmers, pastoralists, and fishers in addressing the impacts of climate change.
The key objective of organizing those platforms is to discuss in depth the challenges that hinder smallholder farmers in production activities, and finally to develop recommendations and strong resolutions that will help the government and relevant authorities take appropriate and timely actions to address those challenges.
These platforms have been a catalyst for change to small-scale producers, because they are meeting directly with policymakers, decision-makers, and various government institutions in the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. Through these direct discussions small-scale producers are getting a valuable opportunity to voice their opinions, express their real needs, and propose actions that should be taken to remove the obstacles they face.
SHIWAKUTA remains committed to being a trusted voice for small-scale producers, advocating for policy reforms and promoting the inclusion of this vital group in the nation’s development agenda.
