Strengthening Farmers' Organisations in Tanzania

Tanzania has come across traditional forms of cooperation, which have survived the impact of colonialism and the structural changes, which accompanied the so-called modern society. Modern cooperatives have been introduced in Tanzania by colonial governments to increase cash crop production and to control (and tax) economic activity in rural areas, but also to protect farmers against exploitation from money-lenders and traders. Most of these organizations, which previously played a major role in development of Tanzania's agriculture, have faced chronic financial and management problems in recent past. The purpose of this study was therefore to identify and promote appropriate strategies for organizing and empowering farmers' group organizations in order to determine their own destiny in the process of bettering their livelihoods and alleviation of poverty.