Can the Asian Miracle Happen in Africa?

[Mwelewa]

Mzuvendi.

When I argue invest enough money in agriculture it does mean other sectors of economy are not important for economic growth. No its not my intention. What I would like you to understand is that we prioritize our scare resources. We invest in agriculture purposefully because it is the sector with small opportunity cost. Its more easier to do better in agriculture and help our people. But only if we choose visionary leaders.

Also concerning your point on trade protectionism there are conditions to be studied before any move is made. We only apply the formula to a particular product not all products in the imperfect market. These same formula have used in Asia before they emerged to middle income class. Its what made China strong the country created conditions to favor local firms.

I thinks its not correct to argue three part formula won't work because it was applied in past years and no good result achieved. So its a bad formula. I want to assure you the formula is fine all we need is commitment. I am sure if we change the current government and replace it with new individual something can be achieved.

People like Dr Strive Masiyiwa and Koffi Annan are encouraging the formula in west Africa. I read somewhere Dr Strive invested in large scale agriculture and helped small famers with technology through their mobile phone. A farmer can receive information concerning the weather and prices of crops. Vodacom also offer this service but Dr Strive is free of charge. I hope you don't tell me its difficult farmers won't do this because they don't have education that will be silly because development as a process is not as complicated as you keep insisting so. Take it from me, development is possible for Tanzanians. Its commitment we lack. And people like yourself who FEARS everything. Wake up! Progress is CHOICE you set plans and go after them not being worried too much about New York market.

 

[Mzuvendi]

Mzuvendi.

When I argue invest enough money in agriculture it does mean other sectors of economy are not important for economic growth. No its not my intention. What I would like you to understand is that we prioritize our scare resources. We invest in agriculture purposefully because it is the sector with small opportunity cost. Its more easier to do better in agriculture and help our people. But only if we choose visionary leaders.

Also concerning your point on trade protectionism there are conditions to be studied before any move is made. We only apply the formula to a particular product not all products in the imperfect market. These same formula have used in Asia before they emerged to middle income class. Its what made China strong the country created conditions to favor local firms.

I thinks its not correct to argue three part formula won't work because it was applied in past years and no good result achieved. So its a bad formula. I want to assure you the formula is fine all we need is commitment. I am sure if we change the current government and replace it with new individual something can be achieved.

People like Dr Strive Masiyiwa and Koffi Annan are encouraging the formula in west Africa. I read somewhere Dr Strive invested in large scale agriculture and helped small famers with technology through their mobile phone. A farmer can receive information concerning the weather and prices of crops. Vodacom also offer this service but Dr Strive is free of charge. I hope you don't tell me its difficult farmers won't do this because they don't have education that will be silly because development as a process is not as complicated as you keep insisting so. Take it from me, development is possible for Tanzanians. Its commitment we lack. And people like yourself who FEARS everything. Wake up! Progress is CHOICE you set plans and go after them not being worried too much about New York market.

To tell you the truth I have talked to Swedish and American farmers. They aren’t super educated. They just use well established processes for farming to make the different. So I am not saying that education is the only game changer in town.

The game changer is seriousness in whatever you do in life. The theme in this thread is about emulating the Asian countries. You guys want us to copy the methodologies that Asians have been applied for their success. I am skeptical about that ideas not because we aren’t capable but because our commitments leave much to be desired.

Now with regard to me, I have tried multiple avenues and fear isn’t in my vocabulary. I helped a few small farmers in Tanzania and the experience changed my thinking. I hoped to empower people but it ended up to be a burden. Tanzanians, especially grown up male, are very unpredictable because social status is at the forefront of their thinking.

 

[Mwelewa]

Mkuu Mzuvendi

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. And yes, lack of commitment is the number one reason this country remained poor - and its fine to predict the situation will remain as it was for long time unless we change bad habit.

So how can change bad habit?

First I would like to share this one with you. When President Obama visited Ghana he said Africa need strong institutions not a strong man. And I agree with his advice. Tanzania won't develop unless its social and economic institutions are well established. Here I am talking schools, judiciary system, health, markets, road infrastructures and family. Yes family is important because good family is the essence of good society.

Also lets tell truth to our people the philosophy of success is HARD WORK. Unless you work hard you won't earn success. Watu wasiogope kazi ngumu za mashambani. Matatizo kidogo tu watu wanalialia. This should stop.

COMMITMENT is the key.

 

[Sangarara]

where was the UK exporting its agricultural products when it emerged as the industrial revolutionist?

what agricultural products have we imported from china in the past ten years?

good insight though.

 

[Sangarara]

Mkuu Mzuvendi

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. And yes, lack of commitment is the number one reason this country remained poor - and its fine to predict the situation will remain as it was for long time unless we change bad habit.

So how can change bad habit?

First I would like to share this one with you. When President Obama visited Ghana he said Africa need strong institutions not a strong man. And I agree with his advice. Tanzania won't develop unless its social and economic institutions are well established. Here I am talking schools, judiciary system, health, markets, road infrastructures and family. Yes family is important because good family is the essence of good society.

Also lets tell truth to our people the philosophy of success is HARD WORK. Unless you work hard you won't earn success. Watu wasiogope kazi ngumu za mashambani. Matatizo kidogo tu watu wanalialia. This should stop.

COMMITMENT is the key.

Kuna kitabu nimesoma juzi kikaniambia do not work hard, think hard.

 

[Mwelewa]

Sangarara

You won't earn success without HARD WORK. Even the most intelligent guy in the world must work HARD to earn success.

I know lots of people very bright mentally but are financially broke whey won't pass a month without begging money from friends. You see? Being smart guy in the world isn't a solution. The real solution is HARD WORK. Hela inapatikana kwa jasho machozi na damu. Ask yourself HOW MUCH YOU WANT MONEY? when you get the answer you'll understand what I'm taking about.

 

[Mzuvendi]

Sangarara

You won't earn success without HARD WORK. Even the most intelligent guy in the world must work HARD to earn success.

I know lots of people very bright mentally but are financially broke whey won't pass a month without begging money from friends. You see? Being smart guy in the world isn't a solution. The real solution is HARD WORK. Hela inapatikana kwa jasho machozi na damu. Ask yourself HOW MUCH YOU WANT MONEY? when you get the answer you'll understand what I'm taking about.

Kuna kitabu nimesoma juzi kikaniambia do not work hard, think hard.

I think it all comes down to the way you take the best of what you have. For example, when I was a little boy in Tanzania, they used to say that if you are smart, you don't need to work harder. Lessons in classrooms would come to you easily (NECHA). However, when I went to study outside Tanzania, I found out that even the best students work very hard.

There's a huge different though. While in Tanzania working harder means to repeat the same process at higher tempo, in other places means extra efforts to achieve perfection.

 

[Sangarara]

Sangarara

You won't earn success without HARD WORK. Even the most intelligent guy in the world must work HARD to earn success.

I know lots of people very bright mentally but are financially broke whey won't pass a month without begging money from friends. You see? Being smart guy in the world isn't a solution. The real solution is HARD WORK. Hela inapatikana kwa jasho machozi na damu. Ask yourself HOW MUCH YOU WANT MONEY? when you get the answer you'll understand what I'm taking about.

Am yet to be convinced, I think , "thinking hard" is more rewarding that "working hard"

 

[Sangarara]

I think it all comes down to the way you take the best of what you have. For example, when I was a little boy in Tanzania, they used to say that if you are smart, you don't need to work harder. Lessons in classrooms would come to you easily (NECHA). However, when I went to study outside Tanzania, I found out that even the best students work very hard.

There's a huge different though. While in Tanzania working harder means to repeat the same process at higher tempo, in other places means extra efforts to achieve perfection.

Not true.
the learning process is the same, the what makes the difference is the availability of sources of learning, otherwise we both repeat the same processes

 

[Mzuvendi]

Not true.
the learning process is the same, the what makes the difference is the availability of sources of learning, otherwise we both repeat the same processes

Do you think one size of shoes can fits all?

 

[Sangarara]

Do you think one size of shoes can fit all?

do you mean black man brain and white man brain are different shoes?

 

[Mzuvendi]

do you mean black man brain and white man brain are different shoes?

I don't want to go there. But one think we should ask ourselves is do we have enough educated and skilled people to launch our own development or renaissance? What sustains positive thinking?

 

[Mzuvendi]

where was the UK exporting its agricultural products when it emerged as the industrial revolutionist?

what agricultural products have we imported from china in the past ten years?

good insight though.

When a country emerges as an industrial revolutionist, it reduces the volume of unprocessed agricultural products it exports. I guess the same thing happened to the UK. However, we have to note that, the country was the forerunner of the industrial revolution. It enjoyed the industrial monopoly, and it used every means to protect that. For example, it introduced trade laws which restricted the export of machinery to the colonies.

Now with regard to import of agricultural products from China, I think Tanzania doesn't import those products in a large scale. I might be wrong. The chinese model is to export cheap industrial goods and I think here where we fall in.

 

[Sangarara]

I don't want to go there. But one think we should ask ourselves is do we have enough educated and skilled people to launch our own development or renaissance? What sustains positive thinking?

Yes we have boss, in plenty, we are just lacking national consensus

 

[Sangarara]

When a country emerges as an industrial revolutionist, it reduces the volume of unprocessed agricultural products it exports. I guess the same thing happened to the UK. However, we have to note that, the country was the forerunner of the industrial revolution. It enjoyed the industrial monopoly, and it used every means to protect that. For example, it introduced trade laws which restricted the export of machinery to the colonies.

Now with regard to import of agricultural products from China, I think Tanzania doesn't import those products in a large scale. I might be wrong. The chinese model is to export cheap industrial goods and I think here where we fall in.

That is my point.
we should avoid to close the doors for optioning other economic models, and we should avoid listening to what people are telling us to do and jump into implementing their ideas, we need to be engaged in thorough economic development analysis and weigh all the available options.

these are the things our Parliament should have ventured to, but look what is happening...!!

 

[Mzuvendi]

Yes we have boss, in plenty, we are just lacking national consensus

If we think that in order to make development, the country will need to have a degree hold for every four people then we have a long way to go. In 1975 only 10% of Britons had university degree. So if you go back 150 years ago, you would find out that the number was even smaller. So we should ask ourselves why did they manage to make progress back then with a smaller number of educated individuals and we can't?

 

[Mzuvendi]

That is my point.
we should avoid to close the doors for optioning other economic models, and we should avoid listening to what people are telling us to do and jump into implementing their ideas, we need to be engaged in thorough economic development analysis and weigh all the available options.

these are the things our Parliament should have ventured to, but look what is happening...!!

If you have agreed to be used as a specimen for an experiment, then you have no choice. The people who are telling us to follow their programs allocate only 1% or less of their GDP for foreign aid. One percent is very small and doesn't have any negative impact to the well being of the economies of our donors if we fail.

Now with respect to the efficacy of the parliament, I think the institution itself reflects our leadership traditions. We love to engage in collective decision making to socialize but not achieve tangible results. I think Tanzanians should try to move from this model of leadership and find something new.

 

[Mwelewa]

Mzuvendi

As I wrote in previous comments I repeat again my statement..... this country won't attain development unless agriculture sector is given more priority. Don't fool ourselves we can sustain without agriculture. That is a great mistake. You remember the sector has employed a majority of people if we choose to abandon agriculture our people won't be able to meet the daily wants.

 

[Mzuvendi]

Mzuvendi

As I wrote in previous comments I repeat again my statement..... this country won't attain development unless agriculture sector is given more priority. Don't fool ourselves we can sustain without agriculture. That is a great mistake. You remember the sector has employed a majority of people if we choose to abandon agriculture our people won't be able to meet the daily wants.

Masai people have very strong to ties their culture, However, last time I was in Tanzania, I saw Masai youth participating in other trades that aren't originally theirs. What that tells us. It tell us that the population of the country, weather patterns, and globalization have changed our ways and in reality the number of people who engage in rural economy will continue to dwindle.

I agree with you that the country should invest in agriculture. Nonetheless, I don't agree the rationale of that investment. Personally, I think the investment should aim to provide subsidies so farmers could increase their productivity which in turn reduces the cost of living as the price of agriculture products goes down.