ISU cuts ties to AgriSol

[Invisible]

Iowa State University no will longer participate in an advisory capacity on a controversial agriculture project in Tanzania, the university announced Friday.

The large-scale agricultural project, led by Iowa-based company AgriSol Energy, includes introducing new crops and farming techniques to underdeveloped regions in Tanzania. The plan, which originally included leasing land currently occupied by 160,000 refugees from Burundi, has drawn fire over the last several months from the media.

AgriSol Energy has since withdrawn its plans to proceed on those plots.

According to a statement from ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Wendy Wintersteen, ISU decided this week to completely end its involvement with AgriSol Energy, because “much of our time and energy has been directed at countering misrepresentations about why and how we were involved.”

In September 2011, ISU unofficially withdrew its plans to work on education and outreach programs related to AgriSol’s project. The university never signed a contract with AgriSol, but individuals from the university, including David Acker, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and economics professor Kevin Kimle, had traveled to Tanzania to begin planning outreach programs for small farmers affected by the development.

In late January, Wintersteen and representatives from AgriSol said two ISU faculty, Mark Westgate and Kimle, still were working for AgriSol as private consultants.

Henry Akona, director of communications at AgriSol, said both Westgate and Kimle have since ended their consulting work with AgriSol. The conclusion of their consulting work occurred “almost simultaneously with Iowa State’s decision” to end their limited advisory role, Akona said.

“We’re very sad and disappointed, and we understand that Iowa State needs to make its own decision,” Akona said. “But personally, for me, the point that is getting lost here is exactly what the consulting was. The consulting was HIV, AIDS and malaria prevention; it was food storage; it was how to manage a micro-loan and a checking account; it was how to grow crops in a straight line. It wasn’t how to design nuclear missiles. It wasn’t how to design bombs.”

Kimle did not wish to comment on his consulting work. Westgate could not be reached for comment Friday.

The media attention, Wintersteen said in the statement, has “not been directed at what originally compelled us to explore program development in Tanzania — the role agricultural education can play in helping small farmers and families struggling against poverty and hunger.”

On Monday, Wintersteen notified Eric Moxham, managing director at AltEnergy LLC, a Connecticut and Iowa-based company that was working with AgriSol on the project, that ISU no longer would serve in an advisory capacity to AgriSol.

Wintersteen didn’t elaborate on her decision in her email to Moxham. Moxham was unavailable for comment Friday.

Source: http://www.amestrib.com/sections/news/ames-and-story-county/isu-cuts-ties-agrisol.html

 

[Mzee Mwanakijiji]

Ni ushindi mwingine wa wanaharakati! Tuliweka documents za ule Mkataba hapa na kuhamasisha kupinga uporaji huu wa ardhi yetu chini ya sera mbovu za kilimo na ardhi za chama tawala.

 

[Ndahani]

I had an opportunity to hear this whole project and what benefit the community around the area could get. Kumbe ni changa la macho, lol! Kilichoniogopesha ni baadhi ya majina makubwa ya washiriki wa hii project...

Tanzania inaliwa kwa njia mbalimbali, kama siasa inashindwa itaingizwa kitu kingine ili tu ulaji uendelee. Land grabbing inayoendelea sasa isipoangaliwa vizuri, italeta balaa kubwa sana maana wanakijiji wengi hawajui athari za kuwakaribisha mabwanyenye kwenye ardhi zao.

 

[myhem]

nakumbuka Pinda alisema yuko tayari kuutetea huo mkataba kwa njia yoyote ile akimaanisha ni mkataba safi kabisa.hili zee litakufa kwa unafki!

 

[Keil]

"We're very sad and disappointed, and we understand that Iowa State needs to make its own decision," Akona said. "But personally, for me, the point that is getting lost here is exactly what the consulting was. The consulting was HIV, AIDS and malaria prevention; it was food storage; it was how to manage a micro-loan and a checking account; it was how to grow crops in a straight line.

Niliposoma hayo maandishi mpaka nikapata kichefuchefu.

Kweli Mmarekani atoke US kuja kufanya consultancy ya kuzuwia malaria na UKIMWI? Ilihali hapa hapa Bongo tunao madaktari kibao wanaoweza kufanya kazi hiyo kwa kuwa wanayajua mazingira, mila na taratibu za ki-Bongo.

Consultancy ya food storage? SUA wapo wataalam kibao na after all maghala ya ki-Bongo bongo vijijini ni vihenge ambavyo wazungu hawavijui.

Management ya micro-loans na checking account, ili hali wakulima hao vijijini hawana bank na hata kama zipo, masharti ya kufungua checking account hayawapi nafasi hiyo.

Kupanda mazao katika mistari iliyonyooka, haya ni matusi. Maana eneo hilo ni wakulima wa mahindi, na sijawahi kuona mahindi yakilimwa bila kuwa kwenye mstari ulionyooka, maana huwezi kupalilia, na ndio maana hata kilimo cha sesa mahindi hupandwa kwenye mstari.

Huu ni wizi mtupu wa mchana kweupe, halafu anasema yuko sad. Kuna wahitimu wengi sana kwenye fani hiyo ambao wangeweza kufanya kazi hiyo kwa makini sana na hivyo kupunguza watu ambao hawana ajira japo ajira hiyo ingekuwa ni ya muda mfupi.

Hawa jamaa kuna madudu wanaficha na ndio maana anakuja na maelezo ambayo hayana kichwa wala miguu.

 

[We Know Next]

Ahsante invisible, kwa kweli JF ni kiboko yao, na kelele za wanaharakati zimewafanya wamarekani washtuke.

 

[Radhia Sweety]

Another blow to the government and indeed to the poor Tanzanians. The project, should it been materialised, could have dug thousands of indigent people out of privation.

It's misapprehension and misconception publicized by, once again, 'rights crusaders' that provoked its termination.

This event yet highlights the ill role executed by the so called activists to hamper and confront government plans to help its people tackle poverty.

 

[20162016]

Niliposoma hayo maandishi mpaka nikapata kichefuchefu.

Kweli Mmarekani atoke US kuja kufanya consultancy ya kuzuwia malaria na UKIMWI? Ilihali hapa hapa Bongo tunao madaktari kibao wanaoweza kufanya kazi hiyo kwa kuwa wanayajua vizingira, mila na taratibu za ki-Bongo.

Consultancy ya food storage? SUA wapo wataalam kibao na after all maghala ya ki-Bongo bongo vijijini ni vihenge ambavyo wazungu hawavijui.

Management ya micro-loands na checking, ili hali wakulima hao vijijini hawana bank na hata kama zipo, masharti ya kufungua checking hayawapi nafasi hiyo.

Kupanda mazao katika mistari iliyonyooka, haya ni matusi. Maana eneo hilo ni wakulima wa mahindi, na sijawahi kuona mahindi yalimwa bila kuwa kwenye mstari ulionyooka, maana huwezi kupalilia, na ndio maana hata kilimo sesa mahindi hupandwa kwenye mstari.

Huu ni wizi mtupu wa mchana kweupe, halafu anasema yuko sad. Kuna wahitimu wengi sana kwenye fani hiyo ambao wangeweza kufanya kazi hiyo kwa makini sana na hivyo kupunguza watu ambao hawana ajira japo ajira hiyo ingekuwa ni ya muda mfupi.

Hawa jamaa kuna madudu wanaficha na ndio maana anakuja na maelezo ambayo hayana kichwa wala miguu.

teh teh teh kaka asante sana umetoa analysis nzuri sana

 

[MwanajamiiOne]

HIV and AIDS, Mlaria prevention??- how different was this wane and the many other we have?? Growing crops on straight line???

Is it me that I am not in the clear picture or what??

 

[MwanajamiiOne]

Niliposoma hayo maandishi mpaka nikapata kichefuchefu.

Kweli Mmarekani atoke US kuja kufanya consultancy ya kuzuwia malaria na UKIMWI? Ilihali hapa hapa Bongo tunao madaktari kibao wanaoweza kufanya kazi hiyo kwa kuwa wanayajua vizingira, mila na taratibu za ki-Bongo.

Consultancy ya food storage? SUA wapo wataalam kibao na after all maghala ya ki-Bongo bongo vijijini ni vihenge ambavyo wazungu hawavijui.

Management ya micro-loands na checking, ili hali wakulima hao vijijini hawana bank na hata kama zipo, masharti ya kufungua checking hayawapi nafasi hiyo.

Kupanda mazao katika mistari iliyonyooka, haya ni matusi. Maana eneo hilo ni wakulima wa mahindi, na sijawahi kuona mahindi yalimwa bila kuwa kwenye mstari ulionyooka, maana huwezi kupalilia, na ndio maana hata kilimo sesa mahindi hupandwa kwenye mstari.

Huu ni wizi mtupu wa mchana kweupe, halafu anasema yuko sad. Kuna wahitimu wengi sana kwenye fani hiyo ambao wangeweza kufanya kazi hiyo kwa makini sana na hivyo kupunguza watu ambao hawana ajira japo ajira hiyo ingekuwa ni ya muda mfupi.

Hawa jamaa kuna madudu wanaficha na ndio maana anakuja na maelezo ambayo hayana kichwa wala miguu.

Keil aksante,
I thought ni mimi tu n ukilaza wangu!! Jamani viongozi wetu nao sometimes ni kama vile wana ugonjwa na ngozi nyeupe. Yaani akija mzungu na mikaratasi yake ya maproject wala hatuangalii nini kimeshafanyika kwenye sehemu hiyo. Tunaanguka tu sahihi na kutembea vifua mbele. No wonder we have a lot of projects doing the same activities in Tanzania.

 

[chakechake]

Je sheria zilifuatwa ?

Je Tanzania inasheria ya kuuza ardhi au ya ku lease ardhi?

Je hao jamaa walipewa lease au waliuziwa?

Sheria ya kulease ardhi ilifuatwa au la?

naomba mnijuze

 

[Keil]

Keil aksante,
I thought ni mimi tu n ukilaza wangu!! Jamani viongozi wetu nao sometimes ni kama vile wana ugonjwa na ngozi nyeupe. Yaani akija mzungu na mikaratasi yake ya maproject wala hatuangalii nini kimeshafanyika kwenye sehemu hiyo. Tunaanguka tu sahihi na kutembea vifua mbele. No wonder we have a lot of projects doing the same activities in Tanzania.

Mjukuu Mtiifu,

Sio ugonjwa wa ngozi nyeupe, bali ni maswala ya kurahisisha wizi/ufisadi na kudanganya watu. Kuna mambo mengine mpaka unajiuliza kama kuna sababu za msingi za watu kutoka Ulaya/Marekani waje Tanzania kufanya consultancy ya mambo ambayo yalifanyiwa kazi tayari na serikali imeyakalia ofisini.

Siku wenye nchi wakiamka ndo unaisikia serikali kwamba, "unajua hatuna wataalam ndo maana tunaingizwa mkenge kila siku". Mtaalam akiwapa ushauri ambao ni honest, wanauweka ofisini na akiwa mnoko wa kufuatulia anahamishwa hapo alipokuwa maana anaziba ulaji na kuharibu mambo yao. Wizi mtupu!

Mwaka 1998 kuna timu ya watafiti wanne kutoka Economic Research Bureau na Institute of Resource Assessment ilifanya utafiti wa Sekta ya madini na kugundua madudu mengi sana. Timu hiyo iliomba kukutana na wabunge ili iwape feedback ya utafiti kuhusu mapungufu ya policy ya madini na sheria ya madini ili vifanyiwe kazi. Mkapa aliposikia habari hizo akaagiza wasipewe nafasi hiyo. After some time wakati akizindua mgodi mmoja akiwa ameshika tofali ya dhahabu akasema, "halafu kuna watu wanajiita wasomi kumbe ni wasomi uchwara wanatumia Chuo Kikuu kujificha". Gazeti la RAI ambalo lilim-quote Mkapa, ninalo mpaka leo hii. Miaka 7 baadaye serikali inakuja kukiri kwamba Sheria ya Madini ina mapungufu pamoja na sera ya madini. Fanyeni marekebisho basi, hawapeleki maana wakifanya marekebisho, watakuwa wameziba ulaji wao.

Nchi inaongozwa na viongozi wanafiki kabisa!

 

[Jasusi]

Another blow to the government and indeed to the poor Tanzanians. The project, should it been materialised, could have dug thousands of indigent people out of privation.

It's misapprehension and misconception publicized by, once again, 'rights crusaders' that provoked its termination.

This event yet highlights the ill role executed by the so called activists to hamper and confront government plans to help its people tackle poverty.

Poor Tanzanians wataendelea kuwa poor. Huu mradi wa kina Idd Simba haukuwa na lengo lolote la kuwakwamua masikini wa Tanzania. Wangebaki kuwa waangaliaji tu wakati Agrisol inaleta wakulima kutoka Afrika kusini na kupewa haki ya kuuza mazao yao kwenye soko la nje ya nchi.

Kama ni kuwakwamua poor Tanzanians serikali lazima ije na mkakati wa kuwawezesha wakulima wetu kuongeza uzalishaji na kuwapatia soko la uhakika.

Kikwete amefeli kabisa na kauli mbiu yake ya kilimo kwanza.

 

[Jasusi]

Je sheria zilifuatwa ?

Je Tanzania inasheria ya kuuza ardhi au ya ku lease ardhi?

Je hao jamaa walipewa lease au waliuziwa?

Sheria ya kulease ardhi ilifuatwa au la?

naomba mnijuze

Chake chake,
Wewe unazungumzia sheria gani? Hawa jamaa walikuwa wapewe eka 800,000 kwa bei ya shilingi mia mbili kwa eka kwa mwaka kwa kipindi cha miaka 99. Wale wakimbizi walioishi katika eneo hilo kwa miaka zaidi ya 20 walipewa shinikizo ya kuhamishwa. Na pia walikuwa wasilipe kodi na mazao watakayozalisha yauzwe nje ya nchi na faida zibaki huko huko. Sasa piga mahesabu mwenyewe.

 

[SOBY]

Huu ulikuwa wizi mkubwa.... thank god!

 

[Prof Griff]

Haya, siku si nyingi, Balozi wa Tanzania Marekani, Mwanaidi Maajar atakuja tena na kundi lingine la "wawekezaji" kutoka Marekani, kama ilivyokuwa pale awali mwaka uliopita na hao Agrisol.

Halafu wakati huohuo Wabongo wote mliopo Dar es Salaam mnaombwa kupitia matangazo ya Maajar Trust Fund kuchangia nguo chakavu aka mitumba ili mauzo yaende kwenye manunuzi ya madawati kwa shule za Dar, wakati ukweli ni kwamba only a tiny fraction ya fedha za EPA, Richmond na madili ya mabilioni zilizolipwa kwenye kampuni ya uwakili ya REX Attorneys ambayo Mwanaidi Maajar ni mwanahisa zingesaidia kujaza madawati kwenye shule zote Tanzania nzima

 

[SOBY]

Another blow to the government and indeed to the poor Tanzanians. The project, should it been materialised, could have dug thousands of indigent people out of privation.

It's misapprehension and misconception publicized by, once again, 'rights crusaders' that provoked its termination.

This event yet highlights the ill role executed by the so called activists to hamper and confront government plans to help its people tackle poverty.

How u figured that?

 

[Companero]

sio siri nimefurahi sana!

 

[Prof Griff]

"Recycle your old clothes....why not donate them to the Hassan Maajar Trust Fund?... For further details please call +255 767 699 932/+255 685 353 566"

 

[Kimbunga]

Kumbe kuna wazungu ambao wakati mwingine huwasikiliza wananchi. Hawa wa Barrick ambao hawasikii ni wazungu wa wapi?Na wao si wasikie vilio vya wananchi watuachie madini yetu?