CAN WE ERADICATE POVERTY IN TANZANIA?

The word ‘poverty has been gaining popularity since and before independence to our days in which efforts have been used and a number of programs have been employed by the name of eradicating poverty. The question here wants the answer of how a social planner can address the problem of poverty in is or community. The task of addressing poverty involves not only solution to the problem, but before providing solution to it , one must draw the concept connected to the term, identify its features and finally state the possible solution strategies for the problem. There fore, in answering this question, I will begin by conceptualizing the term poverty as used and define by different people. Then I will examine two main types of poverty that we have in Tanzania which are Absolute poverty and Relative poverty, after which I will identify the characteristics of poverty that exist in Tanzania and the measures or indicators of poverty. Then, I will trace the various initiatives which are being used to eradicate poverty in Tanzania. From there I will be in a position to give out the necessary and possible measures which may give solution to the problem in the current days. There after, I will conclude the discussion and finally give a way forward to solving the problem.

For a social planner to be in a position to addressing the issue of poverty, one must begin by tracing the concept of poverty. Poverty is accepted to be a multidimensional phenomenon and for this reason, effective measures to address it require conceptualizing it not only as a lack of income or shortfall in the expenditure required to achieve a certain minimally acceptable living standard, but also as a lack of capabilities that individuals require order to live meaning full and valued lives in their societies. (URT, 2004). Poverty is also defined as the condition of lacking full economic access to fundamental human needs such as food, shelter and safe drinking water. (School-wikipedia, 2008/9). Tanzania’s PRSP defines poverty to include ‘Income’ and Non-‘income’ human development attributes, in which Income poverty is described to be;

Largely a rural phenomenon,

A factor of substance agriculture where the poor are concentrated,

Widespread and increasing in urban communities, and,

Having different impacts between men and women; while female-headed households are no necessarily poorer than male-headed households, women are generally perceived to be poorer than men.

Non-income poverty is a function of access to livelihood enhancing factors including education, survival of infants, nutrition, clean and safe drinking water, social well-being and vulnerability to diseases. (Sizya Mwelukilwa, 2001). Pyhramani, when commenting on the topic, ‘Western perceptions on global poverty’, says; ‘Poverty is a human living condition resulting due to deprivation  of livelihood needs of the majority’. (IBSS Blog, 2008/12/01). Action Aid Tanzania views poverty as a denial of basic rights and unequal distribution of power over capacity and entitlements. (Action Aid Tanzania, 2002-05). Bradshaw defines poverty as the lack of necessities; basic food, shelter, medical care, and safety. (Ted K. Bradshaw, 2006).

However all the above definitions show that there is a lack of clarity to the word poverty and as a result of this lack of clarity, the formulation of targeted policies and recommendations become difficult, and that is why huge amounts of money are being spent but shows no success in eradicating poverty.

From the fact that the minimum level of well-being differs between one society and another and from time and time, the definition of poverty must therefore reflect the defined kind of well-being of a particular society. Therefore, probably the definition of poverty from my own perspective, would be ‘a situation in which households fail or can not be able to reach or attain a minimum level of well-being that has been defined and accepted in a particular society at a given time. However, this can be manifested in hunger, powerlessness, illiteracy, sickness and voicelessness.

In the context of Tanzania we have two categories of poverty, and these are; ‘absolute poverty’ and ‘relative poverty’. Absolute poverty refers to the section of the population whose income or expenditure is not sufficient to ensure the acquiring of the basic necessities of life. (J. A. Banturaki, 2000). It measures the number of people who are below affixed real poverty threshold. It is a level of poverty as defined in terms of the minimal requirements necessary to afford minimal standards of food, clothing, healthcare and shelter. (Wikipedia, 2007). On the other hand we have relative poverty. This includes the population whose income is lowest compared to the national income. (J. A. Banturaki, 2000). It is based on a poor standard of living or a low income relative to the rest of society. Unlike absolute poverty; it does not necessarily imply that physical human necessities of nutrition, health and shelter cannot be met; instead it suggests that the lack of access to many of the goods and services expected by the rest of the contemporary society can lead to social exclusion and damaging results for the individuals and families in relative poverty.

Poverty in Tanzania is characterized by low income and expenditure, high mortality and mobility, poor nutritional status, low educational attainment, vulnerability to shocks, and political processes. Though poverty is particularly widespread in the rural areas, there are significant regional differences in levels of poverty and in the relative importance of different aspects of poverty. Those particularly at risk are young children and youths, the very old, women, those in large households as well as those involved in subsistence agriculture, livestock production and small scale fishing. While some progress has been made in the fight against poverty since independence, poverty remains a persistent problem in Tanzania. (URT, 2004).

Here comes another confusing thing concerning the problem, and this is poverty measurement. Different people have come up with the way how poverty should be measured. In fact, the assessment and measurement of poverty levels and trend is complicated due to lack of consistent information and absence of officially recognised poverty lines.  Partly due to the absence of official poverty lines, some studies have used their own lines.  Thus, “lower lines” denote basic food needs based on specific assumptions about eating habits, nutritional requirements, and cost, and “upper lines” cover in addition to such food requirements, and other essential needs, such as clothing, housing, water, and health.  However, a poverty line of One US$ per day in real terms has been used to facilitate comparison with other countries. 

The World Bank's "Voices of the Poor," based on research with over 20,000 poor people in 23 countries, identifies a range of factors which poor people identify as part of poverty. These include: precarious livelihoods, excluded locations, physical limitations, gender relationships, problems in social relationships, lack of security, abuse by those in power, disempowering institutions, limited capabilities, and weak community organizations.(school-wikipedia)

The analysis which was conducted in 1999 by the government showed that some regions in Tanzania are very poor. For instance, Dodoma, Kagera, Lindi, Kigoma, and Pwani. Regions which were found to be at a better state were Dar es Salaam, Ruvuma, Kilimanjaro, Singida and Tabora. (Hakikazi Catalyst, May, 2001)

Also, addressing the problem of poverty requires us to identify its main causes. According to (L. Kessy & Tostensen, 2008), the main causes of poverty are; low level productivity, high level of unemployment and underemployment, and lack of comprehensive social security system to protect incomes.

Low level productivity is exacerbated by recurring drought as agriculture is mostly rain fed, post harvest losses, inadequate access to inputs and low level of technology, limited access to credit for smallholders and small-scale fishermen, low level education and skill among youths, and poor road infrastructure.

High level of unemployment and underemployment limits people’s ability to acquire an adequate income. This has been caused by low rate of growth of the national economy which does not allow generation of number of jobs required. Our economy is heavily dependent on agriculture which provides employment for almost 80% of the national labour force where as the sector predominantly of small scale farmers.

Lack of comprehensive social security system to protect incomes represents another threat of vulnerability and reduces the effectiveness of efforts to reduce poverty. In the country there is no organized social security system to take care of those working in formal sector. With various socio-economic and demographic changes in the economy, traditional systems of social protection have also been greatly weakened.

However, the government has been trying its level best to reduce or eradicate poverty through various strategies and programs such as Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), Poverty Monitoring System (PMS), Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA), and National Poverty Eradication Strategy (NPES). Past efforts to eradicate poverty, while inspiring, had some shortcomings mainly because there was no coherent policy to provide direction and guidance to stakeholders. A policy on poverty eradication is now under consideration. Its overall goals, objectives, and strategies are oriented towards: creating an enabling environment for effective poverty eradication; empowering the poor to participate in poverty eradication programmes; ensuring full participation of women in poverty eradication initiatives; providing coordination mechanisms for the implementation of poverty eradication initiatives; and promoting equality of opportunity for men and women to lead a decent and productive life. (un.org/esa/agenda21)

Now, here the question comes on how can we eradicate poverty? Perhaps this is the key issue which needs to be stated clearly if we really want to eradicate poverty. The following strategies are hereby suggested to help us eradicate poverty.

One: To create a national economic environment that can speed up development. This environment will enable the national economy to grow by strengthening markets for small and large trade. This will also strengthen the families which engage in agricultural activities, factories as well as industries which provide services.

Two: To develop a monitoring and evaluation system. Lots of time and fund can be lost if the system of collecting information is not fair and has some sort of corruption. Planners have to ensure that information concerning issues like education, health and water service are collected through the existing system of government like village government and that the information collected reach central government. Other information may be collected through census or inspection like information about family budget and labor-force. Information collected at village level can be useful at village level, but also can be used by comparing with the government statistics. This can enable leaders and planners to know how poor people see their situation. The main reason for collecting information is to get the real picture of how strategies of poverty reduction are implemented. (Hakikazi Catalyst, May, 2001)   

Three: The planning process which intends to eradicate poverty should be participatory. Plans such as “Mipango kata” or “Ward planning” programmes, which are community based programmes are examples of programmes which can address poverty at community level. The practice of participatory process is in line with the principles of good governance. It also guarantees effective service delivery by public agents at local level. But it is important that the “true voice of the poor” be heard at the grass root level. In order for this to work there should be adequate incentives for the local government. (URT, 2005).

Four: The use of cooperative instruments to eradicate poverty in rural areas. The main possible way to convey the most needed development assistance to reach the target poor is to channel it through local co-operatives and community organizations formed and managed by the poor themselves. A financing policy to reduce poverty should be based at the grass roots where the poor live, and should thus involve the promotion of micro enterprises initiated and managed by their local organizations. The poor are the very people who feel the common need and who work together in order to achieve their objective. (Jovin A. Banturaki, 2000).

Fifth: Supporting and strengthening the private enterprises. In order to promote development at local level, there is a need to equip the local and private enterprises by providing assistance in both skill developing and fund where there is a need. This must work hand in hand with conducting various trainings and seminars about entrepreneurship and the ways how people can raise their income. Any skill, talents and opportunity which is found within a particular area should be developed and employed into development practice. To reveal the opportunities which are there, studies and researches have to be conducted and their report be addressed to the government for development planning.

Lastly: Education should be given a priority from the fact that through education, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge can be imparted to people especially the youths. The planning for education should ensure that fund allocated to education sector is used for the desired goals and should evaluate its impact on the community. With this, the quality of education provided should meet the development targets not only by the number of schools and enrolment but also by improving and employing more teachers, providing laboratory apparatus and books in secondary schools. In addition to that, science and vocational training should be provided and teach work related studies which can enable youths to develop skills for self employment and build their spirit of entrepreneurship.

By concluding this discussion, I can say that the process of eradicating poverty is not a one day process. It needs a day to day monitoring and evaluating processes through which new and better plans develop as the situation and the concept of the issue itself changes with time and place. As it has been shown in the above discussion, addressing the problem of poverty does not skip the task of conceptualizing the issue and identifying its causes and current situation, but it incorporates all these to the processes together with suggesting possible solution for the problem.

Now, from the above discussion, I have some recommendations as explained below.

One: There is a need to make review of the previous strategies used to eradicate poverty. This is due to the fact that despite the good plans and budgets which have been allocated for solving the problem, still the problem is persisting in Tanzania. The necessity of this comes because if you compare the allocated fund and the real situation or progress, you will obviously find that there is a misuse of fund. The said beneficiaries do not seem to benefit from these plans.

Two: Planners at national and district level should involve the poor themselves when defining the term poverty in order to know how the poor see themselves and the way they understand the concept of poverty. This will also lead the planners reveal what they should plan for the poor after getting the real picture of what is considered to be poverty in a particular society.

Moreover, all poverty reduction strategies should be practical and not politics of the government. I think this is the main issue which hinders most of the plans to be implemented, because plans are always there, spoken, but when it comes to implementation, you will find a long story which has no any success. I think, it is time now for the planners to stand on their responsibility and make sure that plans are implemented accordingly.