SPONSOR CONTENT: TOAM
Background:
The
Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM) was founded on May 14th
2005 as an umbrella body for the development of the organic sector in
the country, is registered under Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)
Act of the United Republic of Tanzania which brings together various
stakeholders including producers, processors, traders, exporters,
operators, researchers, certifiers, educators, consumers, NGOs, and
other stakeholders.
Vision:
TOAM
envisions a vibrant, sustainable, and mutually beneficial organic
sector in Tanzania.
Mission:
TOAM
is an umbrella organisation that coordinates and promotes, through
networking and information dissemination, the development of the
organic farming sector among smallholder producers for sustainable
livelihoods in Tanzania.
Strategies:
The
two-pronged approach of programmatic and organizational strategies
enables TOAM to implement interventions from a standpoint of a
strengthened organisation with functioning systems and procedures.
Organisational capacity is imperative since interventions are only as
good as the organisation implementing them.
Awareness Creation:
The
public’s awareness of organic products and their importance as well
as that of organic agriculture is still limited and wanting. Even
where farmers and experts from public institutions are made aware of
this kind of farming, the majority have not fully appreciated the
advantages of organic farming over conventional farming and many have
not understood the attractive market opportunities available for
organic products. By conducting awareness creation activities, TOAM
will work to increase the public’s understanding of organic farming
thereby enabling consumers to appreciate organic products and for
farmers and experts to respond appropriately to environmental
potentials and opportunities in both the foreign and domestic
markets.
Capacity Building:
The
knowledge on organic farming principles, standards, quality
management systems and technical know-how on production and pest
management practices is relevant to farmers, extension, trainers and
facilitators. Enhancing capacity and research information to farmers
enables realization of benefits of organic farming. TOAM envisages
increasing competences of trainers, extension and facilitators by
organising organic training courses, encourage and collaborate in
establishing and functioning of organic training centres and
colleges. Also will seek and avail information to members and
stakeholders on organic training course and collaborative research.
Generation of OFS information:
TOAM finds itself in an ideal situation
to position itself as a focal point in the generation, compilation
and dissemination of information on organic sector and related
opportunities. Documentation is important to learning and future
programming informed both by practice and context specific
interventions. There is an acute lack of organic farming statistics
and very few best practice examples documented. It is in TOAM’s
interest to work in collaboration with research institutions in the
country to investigate, understand, and document organic farming
thereby gaining more visibility and supporting the sector.
Lobbying and Advocacy:
TOAM
needs to influence the partnerships, networks, government departments
and other relevant institutions in promoting organic farming. The
lobbying and advocacy strategy necessitates the identification of
critical opportunities and institutions at various levels that are
most relevant and useful for TOAM to achieve its objectives and
mission.
Linkages and Networking:
Facilitating
new linkages and networks and expanding existing ones is thus a
critical strategy for TOAM. Strategic networking will allow the
organisation to learn from others, gain greater shared knowledge, and
develop a stronger voice nationally to support OF. Furthermore, for a
national organisation that carries out limited direct implementation,
forging good working relationships with relevant organisations is a
key strategy. This strategy is anticipated to aid the organisation in
maintaining a lean structure while not compromising outreach and
advancement of its mission.
Approach and Methodology:
TOAM
adapts Value chain Development Approach and Methodologies in its
interventions with target of increasing smallholder farmers access to
market, develop both domestic and export markets and enhancing trade
of organic products. TOAM plays a facilitator role to the value chain
actors by establishing linkages and build the capacity for the value
chain to operate sustainably.
Public, Private Partnership:
TOAM
recognizes and is determined to work in the framework that enhances
public private partnership for both continuity and sustainability of
our interventions. Therefore TOAM is working in collaboration with
members, stakeholders including public research, training, extension
and LGAs, private companies, processors, producer associations/
cooperatives, NGOs and FBOs.
For
Further Information please contact:
CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
TOAM
P.O.Box
70089 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel:
+255 (0) 754 618 484, or +255 732 975799
Email:
toam@kilimohai.org
