Highlights from the MATS Annual Consortium Meeting in Moshi, Tanzania 23-27.10.2023

During the week of October 23 to 27^th 2023, the MATS Consortium, moderated by the project coordinator Prof. Bodo Steiner, presented, and discussed project progress and next steps near the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. In total, we had 44 researchers present in Moshi from Europe and Africa, connecting us in a hybrid format with other MATS colleagues who had to stay in their respective home countries. We were fortunate that two of our consortium Project Advisory Group (PAG) members could join in person, Virginia Enssle and Galina Hale. On the first day, we were kindly hosted by Moshi Cooperative University and their Vice Chancellor, Professor Alfred Sife (see photos above), who welcomed us with a passionate speech and contributed to connecting us effectively to further local African researchers. Our 15 case studies show promising progress, expected to deliver results for the public early next year. Furthermore, there is work forthcoming from our trade modeling work, including carbon pricing in trade. Our next MATS Annual Consortium Meeting will take place in Brussels, March 5 to 8 2024, and will aim especially at policymakers and the needed sustainability transition.

Visioning workshop organized by Fraunhofer ISI (WP5)

The workshop was conducted on the third day of our meeting, by Fraunhofer ISI with the aim of formulating vision statements and challenges from each of the 15 MATS case studies. The case studies were invited to describe desired, positive developments and most important characteristics within four dimensions of sustainability, namely: Social and Human Dimension; Natural Capital; Economy and Markets; and Policy, Governance and Regulations, with the goal of developing a joint vision for the years 2035+. The MATS visioning work will continue during the year 2024.

High-Level Policy Dialogue organized by OXFAM (WP6)

The first two days of the meeting on the 23^rd and 24^th of October, four policy makers and experts gave keynotes on four topics that relate to trade outcomes in substantial ways: power relationships, price negotiations, gender inequalities and certification. We are thankful to Hon. Odongo George Stephen (Member of East African Legislative Assembly and Chairperson of the EALA Uganda Chapter), Hon. Francoise Uwumukiza (Member of East African Legislative Assembly, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources), Ms. Lina Asiimwe (EASSI, Gender and Economic Justice Program Manager) and Mr. Isaac Tongola (Executive Director of Fairtrade Africa) for sharing their insights with our consortium, and also for participating in our workshops. Our esteemed guests also shared each a question with the MATS participants:

• How to navigate substantial power imbalances that shape global, regional and national legal frameworks and policies?
• What should be changed now to ensure Food System transformation by 2030, taking into account the development of food prices? How can women be supported to enhance their engagement in higher value-added trade in agricultural commodities?
• How can stakeholders/businesses/traders ensure responsible and sustainable trade through compliance to certification standards?

These questions were subsequently addressed in seven hackathon groups consisting of decision makers, farmer organisation representatives, experts, academics, and civil society organizations, and the speakers of the keynote speeches. For the hackathons, a novel methodology was developed and partially applied. The method is aimed at getting a shared and deepened understanding of ‘wicked problems’ and find innovative ways of dealing with them.

Field trips to Mruwia AMOS and Tchibo estate

On day four of the consortium meeting, MATS visited two coffee production related facilities in Tanzania. The first field visit was to a small coffee marketing cooperative near Moshi. During the discussions it became clear that pricing power and pricing issues continue to dominate the discourse. During the afternoon, we visited the Tchibo Estates Ltd. coffee company, comprising of about 600 hectares of coffee plantations and impressive facilities established during the 1950s. Some insights shared during the visit to coffee marketing cooperative near Moshi were:

🌱 Cooperatives carry out only marketing activities and provide no financial support for the farmers who bear the production costs and investments

🌱 Fair-trade prices have increased slightly during past years but not enough to cover the lack of capital for investments

🌱 Despite investment support is crucial, the government’s support has been decreasing

🌱The most desirable solution for farmers’ lack of capital would be higher market price for coffee

🌱 Climate change impacts the quality of coffee and hence the market returns

🌱 The role of women in coffee cooperatives have increased

For further details, consult the following LinkedIn post from Virginia Enssle.