Compare and contrast the transformation approach to rural development in particular the village settlement schemes and the ongoing Youth Agribusiness Parks (YAP) under the Build a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme in Tanzania.
The transformation approach to rural development, exemplified by village settlement schemes and Youth Agribusiness Parks (YAP) under the Build a Better Tomorrow (BBT) program in Tanzania, share a common goal of improving the livelihoods of rural communities through agricultural development. However, there are notable differences between the two approaches in terms of implementation, target groups, and outcomes.
Village settlement schemes, which have been in existence in Tanzania since the 1960s, involve the resettlement of rural communities into designated areas with access to agricultural land and infrastructure. The aim is to promote agricultural productivity, increase food security, and reduce rural poverty. In contrast, YAPs under the BBT program specifically target youth in rural areas, aiming to engage them in agribusiness activities to create sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities.
One key difference between the two approaches is the focus on youth in the YAPs, as opposed to the general rural population in village settlement schemes. By specifically targeting young people, the YAPs aim to address the issue of youth unemployment and migration from rural areas, while also tapping into the potential of the younger generation to drive innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the BBT program emphasizes a more market-oriented approach to agriculture, encouraging youth participants in the YAPs to engage in value-added activities such as processing, packaging, and marketing of agricultural products. This contrasts with the more traditional focus of village settlement schemes on subsistence farming and basic agricultural production.
In terms of outcomes, village settlement schemes have had mixed success over the years, with some schemes achieving their intended objectives of improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods, while others have faced challenges related to land tenure, infrastructure development, and sustainability. The YAPs under the BBT program are still in the early stages of implementation, so it is too early to assess their impact on rural development in Tanzania.
In summary, while both village settlement schemes and YAPs under the BBT program share the goal of rural development through agricultural transformation, they differ in their target groups, approaches, and outcomes. The BBT program’s focus on youth and market-oriented agriculture represents a more contemporary and potentially promising approach to addressing the challenges of rural development in Tanzania.