TANZANIA 6. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact institution to find out what the policy is in this regard –if the institution supplies written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) • 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? • 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? • Total Score: 2/20 8. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Category 1 - WEBSITE www.agriculture.go.tz The website is current and contains updated information. The site is in both languages (Swahili and English). This is probably the best site the study has ever gone through in terms of resourcefulness. n = 20 1. Does this website contain up to date information? Yes No Partial • Additional Information Each time an update has been made, a red ‘new’ signal alerts visitors. 2. Does the website contain: a) A description of its powers as well as data on the organizational structure, the functions, and the responsibilities of the administration? • b) A list of laws, acts etc. issued within the scope of its powers? • c) Reports, policies, programs? • d) Budget and expenditure? • e) Information about procurement procedures, signed contracts? • f) Vacancies and employment procedures? • g) The name, the address, the telephone number and the working hours of the respective institution? • h) The contact details of public officials? • The current budget speech and its supporting documents can be accessed on the page. There are telephone numbers and email addresses for almost every official in the ministry. i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages • and requests for information? Total Score: 18/20 Category 2- Request for Information The following questions were sent to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture: 1. Widespread use of fertilizers has rendered arable land infertile in most places in this country. Farmers are complaining that after two to five years, it becomes difficult to raise crops in the same pieces of land as before. What does the ministry say to these claims? 2. After several years on implementing KILIMO KWANZA, can the government confidently say it has brought about changes in the food production and economies of the rural population? 3. Stakeholders in the Wine industry testify that the vineyards of Dodoma produce some of the best grapes in the World. Does your ministry know this? And if so, what does it do to capitalize on this fact and create employment opportunities for many Tanzanians as a result? 4. Many of the biggest retail outlets operating in the country, such as Shoprite, are flooded with South African farm produce. What does your ministry do to promote local farmers and consolidate the horticultural industry in the country? 5. How does the common farmer get information relevant to him/her on such issues as markets, farm implements, pesticides etc? Is there an information portal, public programmes or publications that could be of use to them? 93