Agricultural policy analysis studies in Tanzania: a historical and thematic perspective with implications on future policy research for crop production and marketing
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
This paper reviews studies which have addressed agricultural policy research in relation to
Tanzania during and after economic structural adjustment, with some cross reference for studies
within Africa and globally. The studies are reviewed to cover: factor markets; product markets;
and macro-economic management in relation to impacts on agriculture performance. The review
establishes that in the factor markets more studies have been done to address productivity improving
inputs, especially inorganic fertilizer compared to other inputs such as financing and credit for
agriculture. Based on the findings, further areas for future research are proposed. Five sub-themes
are presented: subsidy, returns to investment, land markets, trade, and inter-sectoral linkages. The
study concludes by observing that despite all the studies, there is little evidence that policymaking
in Tanzania is informed by policy research. Alternatively stated, policy makers do not seek guidance
from research to make decisions. The review also establishes that most of local researchers use
analytical methods which have limited capacity to provide robust policy recommendations that
are backed by clear analytical rigour. Capacity building of young professionals is therefore
recommended to improve their competence to become agricultural policy analysts with impact on
agricultural policy processes.
Description
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences (2016) Vol. 15 No. 1, 51-68
Keywords
Tanzania, Agriculture, Policy research, Factor market, Product market