1. TARIPA and the Rice Council of Tanzania A way forward Michael Winklmaier

2. .... The private sector within the rice industry of Tanzania lacks coherence, leadership and an authoritative political voice TARIPA has been exploring the options of developing a private sector body or alliance A RICE COUNCIL of TANZANIA (RCT)

3. TARIPA – activities so far ☛ Established a platform for information sharing and cooperation ☛ Networked / linked with a wide range of sub-sector players on different levels and the input supply. ☛ Supported small and large scale rice farmers and agri- business development ☛ Promoted activities of private sector operators, potential and existing national and international investors ☛ Strengthening a market led process for agricultural development

4. Game changer: Importation of Common External Tariff (CET) exempt rice into Tanzania ☛ Government of Tanzania imports at least 30 000 tons of CET exempt rice. Dramatically falling rice prices causes 3 commercial rice farms and hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers to incur great losses. ☛ TARIPA approached by private sector to represent them in dialog with Government of Tanzania ☛ Government of Tanzania high-lights lack of private sector organization with whom to enter into dialog

5. A Case for a Rice Council of Tanzania rather than a Rice Association of Tanzania ☛ A Council requires less time to establish than an Association ☛ A Council is more cost effective to set up and run than an Association ☛ Easier to accommodate various Value Chain operators with differing concerns in a Council than in an Association ☛ “Quick results” and credibility can be achieved soon ☛ TARIPA could later be incorporated easier within a Council than an Association

6. The roles and functions of the Rice Council of Tanzania would include, but not be limited to: ☛ Representing the private sector vis a vis the Government of Tanzania (GoT) ☛ Working with the GoT in developing suitable policies ☛ Guiding GoT on actions in support of the Tanzanian rice industry. ☛ Lead role in developing and formulating a rice sub-sector Strategy Development Process.

7. Objectives of the Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Become THE service and information provider to the Rice Industry of Tanzania ☛ Develop greater trust amongst value chain actors and garner 100% private sector ownership and support ☛ Become THE trusted private sector partner representation towards the Government of Tanzania ☛ Incorporate the current roles and Functions of TARIPA within the Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Taking a lead role in formulating communication strategies for the rice sector development

8. Stakeholder benefits ☛ Coherence and political strength ☛ Speak with authority on sector issues ☛ Participate in Government policy formulation ☛ Strength through “like minded” partners ☛ Improved horizontal and vertical VC integration ☛ Enhanced negotiating power

9. Immediate Activities (1): ☛ Engage assistant to Rice Value Chain Coordinator ☛ Train and mentor assistant to to develop Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Develop draft Strategy / Work plan for Rice Council of Tanzania ☛ Organise RCT inauguration meeting ☛ Legalise Rice Council of Tanzania

10. Immediate Activities (2): ☛ Develop Dialog Platform between RCT and Got ☛ Develop knowledge base for Rice Council of Tanzania on Rice in Tanzania ☛ Organise monthly RCT meetings ☛ Develop position papers on critical issues ☛ Develop topical papers on relevant industry issues

11. Thank you!