LiFELand 2nd Sustainable Development Planning Workshop

2nd Stakeholders Workshop

The 2^nd Sustainable Development Planning workshop was conducted on the 03^rd of March, 2016 at the Gentle Hill Hotel, Iringa. The workshop was planned to share baseline survey results and get insights from stakeholders on better ways to achieve sustainable development planning. The workshop was attended by a range of participants from diverse backgrounds and organizations in the Ihemi Cluster. In total 25 participants from different organizations and affiliations within and outside the Ihemi Cluster attended. Representative from Government Agencies were from the Rufiji Basin Water Office, Wanging'ombe District, Mufindi District, Njombe District, Iringa District, and Kilolo District Council Office. Other participants were from Private sectors (investors), NGOs, farmers organizations as well as research institutions.

Objectives of the workshop

To share project outputs and get feedback from stakeholders
To gather inputs from stakeholders on what tools or information should be further developed to inform Sustainable Development Planning.
To gather inputs from stakeholders on formation of multi-stakeholder platform for Ihemi Cluster.

The workshop was organized through presentations, plenary discussions, and group discussions. The presentations were intended to present to participants the project baseline survey results. Mr. Kamau the project leader explained more about the project, duration of the project and is a research based project that facilitates sustainable development by providing tools to the planners. Mr. Ravic from CIAT presented on land cover change/land sustainability and ecosystem mapping. Prof. Kashaigili, (Team leader TZ) presented on Water Management and Hydrology of the Little Ruaha River. Dr. Anna Sikira, gender specialist presented on gender aspects and sustainable cluster development. Prof. Kadigi Presented on Social economic aspects, access to inputs, market infrastructure, community and investor linkages. Ms. Lucy Magembe presented on Policy and Institutional framework for sustainable development Planning.

Participants discussed in groups about their best practices, institutions and strategies for social inclusivity on land and water related issues and their roles in achieving sustainable development planning in the cluster as well as their immediate actions (low hanging fruit) and synergies to achieve sustainable development planning.

As a way forward, the project team promised to continue working with all partners in the cluster and will take onboard suggestions from the workshop to ensure that implementation of the project benefits smallholder farmers, investors, donors as well as SAGCOT Centre.