Sababu zilizosababisha Trump Kushinda

Ni wachache waliokuwa na fikra kuwa Trump angewania. Donald Trump alipita vizingiti vyote kutoka mwanzo wa kampeni yake ya kuwania urais zaidi ya mwaka mmoja uliopita.

Ni watu wachache walikuwa na fikra kuwa angeweza kuwania, lakini yeye alifanya hivyo. Walifikiri hangepata umaarufu lakini akafanya hivyo. Wakasema hangeweza kushinda mchujo wowote lakini akafanya hivyo. Wakasema hangeweza kushinda uteuzi wa Republican lakini akafanya hivyo.

Majimbo yaliyokuwa ngome Democratic yalimpigia kura  Majimbo yaliyokuwa ngome Democratic yalimpigia kura Trump Kisha wakasema kuwa hakuna vile angeweza kushindana au hata kushinda na sasa ni yeye rais mteule wa Marekani.

Majimbo yaliyokuwa ngome ya Democratic yote yalimpigia kura Trump yakiwemo Ohio, Florida na North Carolina.

Trump ashinda urais Marekani

Watu wazungu walio na ajira hasa wale wasio na masomo ya chuo kikuu wanake kwa wamaume walikihama chama kwa wingi.

Donald Trump ni rais wa 45 wa Marekani

Wapiga kura wa mashambani walijitokeza kwa wingi huku Wamarekani wanaohisi kutengwa na watu wa mijini wakipiga kura kwa idadi kubwa. Wasifu wa Trump, mshindi wa urais Marekani Licha wa majimbo kama Virginia na Colorado kumchagua Clinton, jimbo la Wisconsin lilimwendea Trump na kusababisha matumaini ya Clinton kudidimia.

Trump alimdhalilisha John McCain. Akaanza ugomvi na mtangazaji wa kituo cha Fox News Megyn Kelly. Wafuasi wengi wa Democratic walihamia Republican

Wafuasi wengi wa Democratic walihamia Republican Aliomba msamaha shingo upande wakati kanda moja ya video ilitolewa, akijigamba jinsi alivyowadhalilisha kimapenzi wanawake. Alipambana na pingamizi ndani ya chama chake na kushinda zote. Trump alijenga himaya yake kutoka wa washindani wake kaiam mchujo. Wengie kama Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie na Ben Carson baadaye walisalimu amri. Hatimaye Trump anaelekea ikulu ya White House

Hatimaye Trump anaelekea ikulu ya White House

Wafuasi wengi wa chama akiwemo spika Paul Riyan na wengine, Trump hakuhitaji msaada wao, na kwa uhakika huenda ameshindana kwa sababu aliamua kuchukua msimamo dhidi yao. Ted Cruz: Nimempigia kura Trump

Ni dalili ambayo wanasiasa wengine waliiona kwa mbali, Bernie Sanders na Tedd Cruz kwa mfano. Lakini hata hivyo hakuna mtu aliyeilewa kama Trump mweyewe na ndivyo ikampeleka ikulu ya White House.

France Na Ureno fainali jumapili

Ufaransa imetinga katika hatua fainali ya Kombe la Mataifa barani Ulaya kwa mwaka huu baada ya kuifunga Ujerumani 2 - 0.

Mshambuliaji Antoine Griezmann ndiye aliyeipeleka timu yake ya Ufaransa katika hatua fainali ya Kombe la Mataifa barani Ulaya kwa mwaka huu baada ya kuifungia magoli 2 na kuishangaza Ujerumani iliyokuwa imetawala mchezo huo wa nusu fainali.

Mshambuliaji huyo wa Atletico Madrid alianza kwa kuandika bao la kwanza kwa njia ya penalti katika dakika ya 45 kipindi cha kwanza kabla ya kupachika bao la pili na ushindi kipindi cha pili baada ya golikipa wa Ujerumani Manuel Neuer kufanya makosa golini.

Kwa matokeo hayo sasa Ufaransa mwenyeji wa michuano hiyo itakutana na Ureno katika mechi ya fainali siku ya Jumapili

Wakuu wa Wilaya na kasi ya maendeleo Tanzania

taarifa kwa vyombo vya habari

JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA

KURUGENZI YA MAWASILIANO YA RAIS IKULU

Simu : +255-22-2114512, 2116898

Email : press@ikulu.go.tz

Tovuti : www.ikulu.go.tz

Faksi : 255-22-2113425

OFISI YA RAIS,

IKULU,

1 BARABARA YA BARACK OBAMA,

11400 DAR ES SALAAM,

TANZANIA

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli leo tarehe 29 Juni, 2016 amewaapisha wakuu wa Mikoa watatu aliowateua Jumapili iliyopita tarehe 26 Juni, 2016.

Wakuu wa Mikoa walioapishwa leo Ikulu Jijini Dar es salaam ni Dkt. Binilith Satano Mahenge ambaye ni Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Ruvuma, Dkt. Charles Ogesa Mlingwa ambaye ni Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mara na Bi. Zainab Rajab Telack ambaye ni Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Shinyanga.

Hafla ya kuapishwa kwa wakuu hao wa Mikoa imehudhuriwa na Makamu wa Rais Mhe. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Waziri Mkuu Mhe. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, wakuu wa vyombo vya ulinzi na usalama na wakuu wa wilaya wateule ambao waliteuliwa na Rais Magufuli Jumapili iliyopita tarehe 26 Juni, 2016.

Aidha, miongoni mwa wakuu wa wilaya 139 walioteuliwa, Rais Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli amefanya mabadiliko madogo katika wilaya tatu ambapo ametengua uteuzi wa Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Rombo Mteule Mhe. Fatma Hassan Toufiq na badala yake amemteua Bi. Agness Elias Hokororo kuwa Mkuu wa Wilaya hiyo, ametengua uteuzi wa Mkuu wa wilaya ya Serengeti Mteule Bw. Emile Yotham Ntakamulenga na badala yake amemteua Bw. Nurdin Hassan Babu kuwa Mkuu wa Wilaya hiyo na ametengua uteuzi wa Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Ikungi Mteule Bw. Fikiri Avias Said na badala yake amemteua Bw. Miraji Mtaturu kuwa Mkuu wa wilaya hiyo.

Akizungumza katika hafla hiyo, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli amewataka wakuu wa wilaya wateule kwenda kuchapa kazi na kutatua kero za wananchi katika wilaya zao huku wakizingatia kufanya kazi kwa uadilifu na uaminifu.

Rais Magufuli pia amewataka kusimamia ukusanyaji mapato ya serikali na matumizi ya fedha na rasilimali nyingine za umma, kuhakikisha wananchi wapo salama na pia kuhakikisha wananchi wanafanya kazi za uzalishaji mali.

"Katika kazi hizi wapo watakaowakejeli, katika kazi hizi wapo watakaowadhihaki, nyinyi kavumilieni na mmuweke Mungu mbele na mkawaweke watanzania mbele, mkafanye kazi kadiri Mungu atakavyokuwa amewaongoza.

"Nataka kuwahakikishia tunawaunga mkono kwa nguvu zote, mkafanye kazi bila uwoga wowote, katembeeni kifua mbele, kwa sababu tumewaamini wala msiwe na wasiwasi, ukifanya kitu kizuri kwa dhamira yako iliyo njema kitazaa matunda mazuri, ukifanya kitu kwa unafiki hakitafanikiwa" Amesema Rais Magufuli

Katika hafla hiyo, wakuu wa mikoa walioapishwa na wakuu wa wilaya wateule wamekula kiapo cha ahadi ya uadilifu kwa viongozi wa umma, zoezi ambalo limeongozwa na Kamishna wa Maadili Jaji Mstaafu Salome Kaganda.

Katika hatua nyingine, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli amekutana na kufanya Mazungumzo na mwenyekiti mwenza wa taasisi ya Bill and Melinda Gates ya Marekani Bi. Melinda Gates ambapo Rais Magufuli amemuhakikishia mwenyekiti mwenza huyo kuwa serikali ya awamu ya tano itaendeleza na kuimarisha zaidi uhusiano wake na taasisi hiyo ambayo imekuwa ikishirikiana na Tanzania katika utekelezaji wa miradi mbalimbali ya Afya, Uongozi na Kilimo.

Kwa upande wake Bi. Melinda Gate amempongeza Rais Magufuli kwa kazi kubwa anayoifanya katika kukabiliana na rushwa na kuongeza ukusanyaji wa mapato ya serikali, na pia kwa nia yake thabiti ya kuinua sekta ya kilimo inayotegemewa na idadi kubwa ya watanzania na ameahidi kuwa taasisi ya Bill and Melinda Gates itaendelea kushirikiana na Serikali ya awamu ya tano katika kuongeza tija ya uzalishaji wa mazao ya kilimo.

Gerson Msigwa

Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Mawasiliano, IKULU

Dar es salaam

29 Juni, 2016

5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Mental Performance

In life, having just a small edge can make a super colossal difference. Many of us start our work day with an unmotivated, distracted, and foggy brain. We work all day only to realize we didn’t accomplish anything of true value.

This type of performance is the enemy of success. Imagine having a powerhouse in your head that can stay laser focused on the task at hand, effortlessly learn and recall important information, and confidently make critical decisions at the drop of a dime. What would that do for your success?

Let’s find out a few simple things we can do to make sure we are performing closer to our mental capacity.

Here are 5 simple things we can do to make sure we are performing closer to our mental capacity:

1. Sit down with a purpose

Before you start a task, find your why. Don’t just ask yourself what is it that you want to achieve; ask yourself why you want to get this done. Make it personal and try to stir up your emotions. And most importantly, be specific. Clarity diffuses resistance. When you have your purpose, keep it at the forefront of your mind. This will help motivate you to complete the task at hand. With motivation comes increased attention, comprehension, and retention.

2. Stop multitasking the moment away

Attempting to multitask nullifies our concentration. Many people pride themselves at being a great multitasker when in reality, multitasking is an illusion. We may be able to do a bunch of things at the same time, but we can only truly focus on one thing at a time.

When we “multitask”, all we are really doing is rapidly switching back and forth. Your brain power takes a hit with each switch. Not to mention, it takes valuable time and energy to refocus. By constantly switching tasks, you are inadvertently training your brain to have attention deficit! If you find it hard to concentrate, all that multitasking “practice” is most likely your problem. When you zero in on one thing, all your brain power and resources converge.

3. No McD’s hotcakes for breakfast

Your memory plays possibly the largest role in optimal cognitive performance. Without being able to recall information and experiences, we can’t focus, solve problems, or make informed decisions. So what’s that got to do with pancakes? The hotcakes and sausage meal at McDonald’s has a whopping 4.1g trans fat! This is not only bad for your heart (which pumps blood and oxygen to your brain), but also your hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that is involved in memory.

This area of the brain is very susceptive to cell damage. Trans fat causes oxidative stress and inflammation galore! The result is malfunctioning brain cells. Beginning your day with fast foods containing trans fat sets your brain up for failure. If you’re in a hurry, opt for some fruit high in antioxidants. This will have the opposite effect of trans fat on your brain.

4. Meditate to medicate

Practically every high achiever meditates. Meditation lowers the frequency of your brain waves. In regards to your cognitive performance, this means a much more calm, focused, creative, and intuitive brain. When you need to zone in on a task, or make a crucial decision, meditate for 20 minutes before hand. This willprime your brain and put it in the optimal state.

“Meditation is a legal, mind-altering, and non-addictive brain enhancer. It helps you to see clearer, further, wider.” –Karen Salmansohn

5. Release your mental pressure

One of the worst things for your brain is stress. A little stress isn’t always bad, because in some cases it is what keeps us from danger. However, humans are the only mammals that experience stress over thoughts, which leads to chronic stress. Chronic stress and the release of too much of the stress hormone cortisol literally alters our neural circuitry and causes cells to malfunction. These changes in the brain create a cycle of an on-edge feeling and reduced cognitive performance.

Stressful situations can’t always be avoided, but if you are feeling stressed after the fact, you need to find a release. This can be anything from working out to going shopping. Find something you enjoy and release your tension or else your brain power will suffer.

Your brain plays the most vital role in achieving success and a high quality of life. Gaining a cognitive edge can put daylight between you and your opposition – whether that be your competition, or your old self.

Source: http://addicted2success.com/

PENZI LA MVUTO

Umewahi kumpenda na yeye akakupenda?

Kijana mmoja alitokea kumpenda sana dada mmoja japokuwa yeye alikuwa akimtolea nje mara kwa mara lakini kijana hakukata tamaa katika kutafuta bahati yake kwa dada huyo huku akiamini siku moja atafanikiwa. Siku moja dada huyo akiwa yupo nyumbani kwake ikiwa ni siku ya jumamosi tulivu akiwa hajaenda ofisi kwake ambapo alikuwa anafanya kazi katika kampuni moja iliyokuwa inategeneza manukato yenye harufu nzuri mithili ya ua la walidi  aliamua kumpigia simu huyu kaka na kumtaka aje nyumbani kwake, yule kijana alifurahi sana na kuhisi kama ndoto zake zinatimia. 

Akiwa nyumbani kwake dada huyo akifanya shughuli zake ndogo ndogo za hapa na pale alikuwa amevalia kanga moja laini  kutokana na hali ya hewa ya joto la Dar es salaam. Kwa upande wa yule kijana alikuwa amefurahi sana na haraka haraka alijiandaa kwa kuvalia nguo nzuri zenye kuleta mvuto wa mtanashati kisha kuanza safari kuelekea kwa huyu dada njiani kaka huyu alikuwa na mawazo na akijiuliza maswali mengi huku akiwa haamini kama yule dada amemuita nyumbani kwake au ilikuwa ni ndoto. Alipofika, alibisha hodi na yule dada akafungua mlango huku akionyesha tabasamu pana katika paji lake la uso lenye kuleta tamanio la mahaba. 

Yule Kaka aliingia ndani huku kijasho chembaba kikimteremka mithili ya mtu aliyekuwa anakimbia. Dada huyu alimkaribisha vizuri, kisha yule dada akamuuliza anatumia kinywaji gani yule kaka aliitikia kwa upole na ukarimu naomba tu maji ya kunywa huku muda wote akimtazama kwa umakini dada huyu mrembo, aliyeumbika kila idara na ile kanga nyepesi aliyovaa ilikuwa ikionyesha umbo zuri la mahaba liloumbika mithili ya malaika. Kaka alikuwa akivuta pumzi kwa haraka haraka, na kusema "Nimefurahi sana, umenikaribisha nyumbani kwako ni pazuri sana." Yule dada alitabasamu na kusema "Asante sana, nimefurahi pia umeitikia wito wangu, samahani kwa usumbufu wangu".

Yule kaka alitabasamu huku akijisogeza sogeza "Hakuna tatizo, usijali kabisa, mimi nipo kwa ajili yako, naimani sasa nina...." Kabla hajamilizia kuongea yule dada alimshika mikono yake miwili huku akimtizama machoni, kwa macho yake malegevu, mithili ya mtu aliyekula kungu "Samahani kaka, mimi nimekuita hapa kuna jambo nataka unishauri, nataka kujua ni zawadi gani nzuri unaweza kumpatia mwanaume unayempenda" Kaka yule alikuwa akitetemeka na kusema "Chochote tu, zawadi ni zawadi, alimradi kuwe na mapenzi ya kweli" Dada yule alitabasamu na kusema "Ni kweli, mapenzi ya kweli ndiyo jambo la msingi, nitampenda maisha yangu yote" Kaka yule akauliza "Utampenda? Nani huyo"

Yule dada alitabasamu tena na kusema "Samahani, rafiki yangu nilikuwa sijakuambia siku nyingi, wiki ijayo nafunga ndoa na mpenzi wangu wa muda mrefu ambaye nampenda sana, na pia nilikuita ili nikupe kadi ya harusi, nitafurahi kukuona, kwani wewe ni rafiki yangu pia" Yule kaka alibaki amepigwa na butwaa, "Ati, nini unaolewa, daaah, jamani, kwahiyo." Alinyanyuka na kuondoka bila ya kuaga huku akimuacha yule dada anamuita ili ampatie kadi bila ya mafanikio.

Watoto ni Taifa la Kesho tuwalinde

Kengele ya kutoka darasani iligongwa, wanafunzi wa shule ya msingi wakaanza kutoka madarasani huku wakifukuzana wengine wakipiga kelele ilimradi shwangwe tu.Ilikuwa mara yangu ya kwanza kufundisha shule za hatua hiyo. Ilikuwa ni shule ya serikali.

Jicho langu liliangukia katika sura ya msichana mdogo, nguo zake chafu. Alikuwa analia. Alikuwa peke yake na hakuwa na yeyote wa kumbembeleza. Mimi kama mwalimu sikutaka kujisogeza karibu naye sana. Kwanza nilikuwa mgeni. Nikaachana naye.

Siku iliyofuata tukio kama lile likajirudia. Msichana yuleyule wakati ule uleule wa kutawanyika, alikuwa analia sana. Mwishowe aliondoka huku akiwa analia.

“Mbona mwenzenu analia?” nilimuuliza mwanafunzi mmoja.

“Huyo ni mama kulialia..” alinijibu huku anacheka.

Haikuniingia akilini hata kidogo kuwa yule binti analia bila sababu.

Siku ya tatu nikaanza kujiweka karibu naye.

Muda wa mapumziko nilimwita nikamnunulia chai, alikuwa ananiogopa na hakutaka kuniangalia machoni.

Sikumuuliza lolote juu ya tabia yake ya kulia lia kila anaporuhusiwa kurejea nyumbani.

Hata siku hiyo pia alilia vilevile. Wenzake wakawa wanamzomea. Akili yangu iligoma kuamini kuwa binti yule analia bila sababu. Kwanini alie wakati wa kutawanyika tu?? Hapana si bure. Nikaendelea kujiweka karibu naye. Mkuu wa shule akafikishiwa taarifa kuwa nina mahusiano ya kimapenzi na yule mtoto.

Moyo wangu na Mungu pekee ndio walikuwa mashahidi. Nilikosa cha kujibu.

Nilijaribu kujiweka mbali naye lakini moyo ulinambia kuwa kuna jambo natakiwa kulijua. Nikaendelea kuwa karibu naye. Hatimaye mkuu wa shule akanisimamisha kufundisha pale kwa tabia yangu ya kufanya mapenzi na mwanafunzi.

Nilijitetea lakini sikueleweka. Nikamwachia Mungu……

Licha ya kusimamishwa kazi, niliendelea kufuatilia nyendo za yule binti aliyeitwa Janeth. Kila alipotoka shule nilimvizia njiani na kumnunulia chakula, kisha tunazungumza kidogo.

Aliponiamini kama kaka yake ndipo nikajieleza dukuduku langu.

“Janeth…” nilimuita.

“Bee kaka ….” Aliitika huku akinitazama.

“Nyumbani unaishi na wazazi.”

“Ndio naishi na mama..baba huwa anasafiri safari.”

“Mama yako ana watoto wangapi?”

“Mama yangu alikufa….alikufa nikiwa mdogo hata simkumbuki” Alijibu kwa sauti ya chini.

“Kwa hiyo unaishi na mama mdogo.”

“Ndio.”

“Unampenda mama mdogo?”

Swali hili likaikatisha furaha ya Janeth. Akaanza kulia, alilia bila kukoma, Janeth alilia kwa uchungu hadi nikajisikia vibaya. Nilimbembeleza kisha sikumuuliza tena. Siku zikaenda bila kumuuliza chochote..

Baada ya siku kumi, ilikuwa siku ya michezo pale shuleni, hivyo hapakuwa na masomo. Janeth alichelewa kuja shule, nilimngoja uwanjani, hadi alipofika majira ya saa nne.

Nikamwambia twende kunywa chai.

Siku hiyo nilimpeleka mbali kidogo, tukanywa chai, kisha tukakaa mahali palipokuwa wazi. Nikaleta tena mjadala mezani. Ni kuhusu maisha ya Janeth. Alikataa kabisa kusema lolote, nilimshawishi sana. “Usiogope mimi ni kaka yako.” Nilimpooza. Janeth badala ya kusimulia akaanza kulia tena.

“Ataniua mama nikisemaaaa” alilalamika.

Nikambembeleza hatimaye akanieleza jinsi anavyonyanyaswa na mama yake. “Mama hanipendi hata kidogo, ananipiga na kuninyima chakula, hapendi nije shule, vyombo tunavyotumia usiku hataki nivioshe usiku na hataki niwahi kuamka asubuhi, nikiamka natakiwa kufanya kazi zote, kufagia uwanja, kudeki nyumba, kuosha vyombo kisha ndipo nije shule. Baba akiwepo anajidai kunijali sana…”

Alijieleza.

“Ni hayo tu Janeth….niambie kila kitu.”

“Akijua ananiua alisema….”

“Kwani amewahi kukutesa vipi..”

Ni hapa Janeth alivyozungumza huku analia kilio ambacho hakitatoka masikioni mwangu kamwe.

Siku moja, alichelewa kuamka, ilikuwa siku ya mapumziko.

Mama yake alipomwamsha, aliitika na kupitiwa usingizi tena.

Mama aliporejea mara ya pili, alikuwa na mti mkavu, alimpiga nao kichwani na popote pale katika mwili, alipoona hiyo haitoshi akamvua nguo, akausokomeza katika sehemu za siri, aliuigiza hovyohovyo, ukuni huo ulikuwa wa moto.

Yeyote mwenye moyo wa nyama ajifikirie ukuni wa moto ukazamishwa sehemu za siri za mtoto wa darasa la sita.

Nilitokwa machozi.

Nikawahi kujifuta hakuona.

“Baba yeye alisemaje….”

“Baba ni mkali na hapendi kunisikiliza na mama aliniambia nikiambia mtu ananiua mara moja.” Alijibu kwa huzuni.

“Nikija na dada yangu tunaweza kukuona ulivyounguzwa..”

“Ndio…” alinijibu. Sikutaka kulaza damu nikampigia simu rafiki yangu wa kike. Nikamuuliza kama yupo kwake, alikuwepo. Nikaongozana na Janeth.

Tukafika, Janeth akatoa nguo zote.

Ilihitaji moyo wa kiuaji sana kutazama mwili wa Janeth mara mbilimbili. Alitisha, hakika alikuwa ameunguzwa vibaya na vidonda vilikuwa havijapona vizuri. Dada yule alishindwa kujizuia alimlazimisha Janeth twende kwa mama yake amkabiri na kumpa kipigo. Nikamzuia. Hata mimi nilikuwa na hasira kali. Lakini sikutaka kuiruhusu ifanye kazi.

Nikachukua kamera, nikampiga picha Janeth katika yale makovu.

Mbio mbio nikaenda polisi, kituo cha haki za watoto nikaelezea mkasa ule huku nikishindwa kujizuia machozi.

Nikawaonyesha na picha. Tukaongozana nao hadi nyumbani kwao Janeth. Mama yule akakamatwa bila kutarajia. Nilitamani kumrukia nimng’ate lakini haikuruhusiwa.

Sheria ikafuata mkondo. Janeth akaanza kupokea tiba.

Yule mama akahukumiwa kwenda jela miaka sita..hadi sasa yupo jela.

Mume wake alitozwa faini kubwa kwa kosa la kutofuatilia maendeleo ya mtoto wake kiafya…….. Mimi nilirudishwa kazini, kwa heshima kubwa. Heshima ya nkumkomboa mtoto.

***Akina JANETH wapo mtaani kwako…..usiwaangalie na kuwaacha tu…hebu jaribu KUWA SAUTI YAO….hawawezi kusema…hebu sema badala yao…….wanalia kisikie kilio chao.

The need to invest in Africa’s rural transformation

Economic growth remains robust in African countries, but the region has seen a steady rise in the number of extremely poor people, and their concentration in rural areas. 

Two thirds of Africa’s population live and work in rural areas, which offer huge land surfaces, and agriculture represents 65 per cent of jobs in Sub-Sahara.

 

Yet, rural areas have been undervalued by governments, international development lenders and policy advisers. As a result, per capita food production has barely grown over the last 50 years, agriculture only represents 17 percent of Sub-Sahara’s GDP, and its productivity is low and even declining. It’s not surprising that over 60 per cent of rural people live in extreme poverty, and many flee to the cities, where they usually swell the ranks of the unemployed or the informal workforce. 

Boosting agriculture and building around it a strong rural economy is crucial for Africa. Done right, it would create millions of much needed jobs, as well as wealth, inclusion, food security, crisis resilience, and social and political peace. 

This reality is not lost on African leaders. The African Union’s summit held in Addis Ababa on 21-28 January 2014 had as its lead theme “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture: Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development”, and launched 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security. Participating heads of States and Government adopted a Common Position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. They also decided to hold a summit in September to review progress achieved since the Ouagadougou Plan of Action was launched ten years ago, and to adopt a roadmap to 2024. Agriculture and rural transformation feature prominently in both the 2004 Ouagadougou Plan of Action and the African Common Position on Post-2015. 

The ILO has actively engaged in rural work since the 1920s, with growing attention to Africa. In 2008, the International Labour Conference adopted a resolution on Rural Employment for Poverty Reduction, which led the way to an ILO Rural Employment and Decent Work Programme (2009-13), and the declaration in 2013 of “Decent Work in the Rural Economy” as an Area of Critical Importance for the Organization. 

The need to recognize the rural potential

A key lesson from ILO rural work is recognizing that rural communities have much potential, and that investment can empower them through integrated approaches. 

This should start with basic physical and social infrastructures such as roads, energy, education and health facilities. Investments should also target relevant skills development and entrepreneurship support, including through cooperatives and innovative financial mechanisms. They should also ensure proper occupational safety and health, social protection and basic rights. 

Many youth are put off by rural jobs that are dangerous, exhausting, badly paid and ill-protected, and by limited infrastructure in rural areas.

Promoting rural areas also means combining agriculture with industrial and service activities to stimulate synergies and diversification, and to seize new opportunities in ICT, tourism, bio-technologies, environment protection and renewable energy generation, for instance.

Integrated approaches also include promoting linkages among public and private stakeholders, developing rural workers’ and entrepreneurs’ structures, encouraging dialogue among them and with authorities, and giving capacities and a voice to youth and women, who are the true engines of rural innovation and growth.

 

All important is disseminating the many winning practices. A good example is the Songhaï Centres  in Benin where productive enterprises run activities in farming, processing, handicrafts, marketing, energy production, irrigation, repair, recycling and other services, with strong emphasis on holistic approaches, self-reliance, research and training. The Rwandan Telecentre Network  is another example of good practice, with rural telecentres that provide IT services but are also delivery hubs where individuals, companies and government can advertise, sell, buy and exchange products and services from e-training to banking, insurance, taxation, healthcare, electricity and information. 

“Rural” should become a pivotal part of national and international development agendas. The sense of urgency to tackle agricultural and rural transformation expressed at the African Union Summit augurs well

Source: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_235398/lang--en/index.htm

China rapid economy touch African Rural development

Since initiating market reforms in 1978, China has shifted from a centrally-planned to a market-based economy and has experienced rapid economic and social development. GDP growth has averaged nearly 10 percent a year—the fastest sustained expansion by a major economy in history—and has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty. China reached all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and made a major contribution to the achievement of the MDGs globally.

With a population of 1.3 billion, China recently became the second largest economy and is increasingly playing an important and influential role in the global economy.

Yet China remains a developing country (its per capita income is still a fraction of that in advanced countries) and its market reforms are incomplete. According to China’s current poverty standard (per capita rural net income of RMB 2,300 per year in 2010 constant prices), there were 70.17 million poor in rural areas in 2014.   

Rapid economic ascendance has brought on many challenges as well, including high inequality; rapid urbanization; challenges to environmental sustainability; and external imbalances. China also faces demographic pressures related to an aging population and the internal migration of labor.

Significant policy adjustments are required in order for China’s growth to be sustainable.  Experience shows that transitioning from middle-income to high-income status can be more difficult than moving up from low to middle income.

China’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) and the newly approved 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) forcefully address these issues. They highlight the development of services and measures to address environmental and social imbalances, setting targets to reduce pollution, to increase energy efficiency, to improve access to education and healthcare, and to expand social protection. The annual growth target in the 12th Five-Year Plan was 7 percent and the growth target in the 13th Five-Year Plan is 6.5 percent, reflecting the re-balancing of the economy and the focus on the quality of growth while still maintaining the objective of achieving a “moderately prosperous society” by 2020 (doubling GDP for 2010-2020). 

  

Source: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/china/overview