CONFLICTING PROJECTS’ SETUP WORRIES EXPERTS.

The World Bank (WB) Specialists joined Tanzania Government Officials to form a follow-up team for the Participatory Agricultural Development and Empowerment Project (PADEP). Among the Districts visited is Uyui in Tabora Region which is in the second implementation phase. The team held discussion with the Project District and Ward Facilitation Team (DFT and WFT respectively) on issues related to implementation process at the District level.

The team composed the WB Environment Specialist, Warren, C; The WB Task Team Leader based at Dar es salaam office, Henry Gordon; Amon Z. Mattee, an Agricultural Extension Specialist and Professor of this discipline at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Others were Dr Shekania Bisanda, PADEP Community Development Officer; Mr Mbelwa, PADEP Information Officer and Mr. Kitosi from the Ministry of Livestock Development.

They urged us (District Project Managers) to ensure that the communities are empowered enough to utilize every opportunity to success. They insisted on the potential collaboration with stakeholders in agricultural development such as the research institutions, NGOs/CBOs and the Private sector. One of the important worries of the facilitation teams is the conflict that may arise in the villages that are implementing both PADEP and TASAF. While PADEP requires the community to contribute between 20 and 50% of their subproject costs, TASAF has a flat rate of 20%. The WB officers said they were concerned about this observation and are looking for the best ways to avoid any misconception. Both projects are financially supported by the WB.