Public-private partnerships in agricultural extension services delivery in Tanzania: prospects, challenges, and the Way forward
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Date
2023
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Publisher
MKUKI NA NYOTA
Abstract
The extension services delivery in Tanzania is dominated by the public sector. Despite the
efforts observed on the provision of extension services, there is notable unsatisfactory
performance of the agricultural sector which is attributed to numerous factors including weak
agricultural services delivery system which among others includes agricultural extension
services provision. The agricultural extension services are reported, inter alia, not being
provided in the right amounts and time. Obviously, for the agricultural extension system to be
effective there is a need for substantial investment in research and extension to facilitate
extension officers working closely with the farmers to work efficiently. Inadequacy in both
financial and human resources in the public sector has made it difficult to realize effective
extension services delivery. The private sector’s involvement in the agricultural extension
services (AES) delivery has recently been considered to have the potential to offset challenges
related to the agricultural extension services provision. This chapter discusses public-private
partnerships in provision of extension services in the agricultural sector in Tanzania. A global
overview of agricultural extension services delivery and public-private partnership in terms of
theories and best practices is an entry point to the chapter. The chapter further presents the
emerging efforts and best practices from the private sector in Tanzania concerning agricultural
extension services delivery. A thorough debate is presented reflecting the potential of the
private sector to contribute to addressing challenges related to delivering extension services in
the agricultural sector. The recommendations have been provided towards effective
agricultural extension services delivery through a public-private partnership. An exemplary
public-private partnership initiative named Rural Initiatives for Participatory Agricultural
Transformation (RIPAT) approach has been captured and analyzed in this chapter. This is an
extension/ rural development approach which has been developed in Tanzania and is being
implemented by public and private sectors to reinforce agricultural extension services.
Public–Private Partnership (PPP) has been found having potential towards effective agricultural
extension services delivery as it has been observed that PPP can address some of the challenges
on agricultural extension services (AES) delivery. It is recommended that PPP in AES should be
enhanced to capture this opportunity.
Description
Book chapter 3
Keywords
Public-Private Partnership, Agricultural Extension Services, RIPAT, RECODA, SUA