Food Security in Global Setting: Sustainable Food Plan for Tanzania - Essay Example

Food Security in Global setting- Sustainable food plan for Tanzania Introduction: A sustainable plan for the food safety is promising strategy, whichcontributes in the satisfaction of consumers’ increasing food demand in a growing population. The food production and safety strategy increases the land productivity, and reduces the negative environmental impacts. Development of food strategy requires the appropriate benchmarking methods, and knowledge on agriculture in order to manage the crops’ management in context of socio-economic and local ecologies. In the start of the new millennium, the economic growth rates in developed and developing countries were robust. More than 200 member countries of United Nations identified eight development goals and two of them were directly related with food security. More than 50% reduction in poverty and hunger is directly depended upon the sustainability of natural resources of agriculture such as climate, water, and biodiversity. In this paper, the global food security in Tanzania is addressed with its different aspects. Current food crops and expected food crops of Tanzania will be discussed. Food crops aimed for the domestic use also include in this paper. Trade agreements of Tanzania with WTO and other food organizations will be addressed. The food security plan in Tanzania is also seen from the urban gardening and role of women in its growth. What crops are currently grown in Tanzania? Main food crops grown in Tanzania include as rice, maize, pulses cashew nuts, beans, groundnuts, mangoes, bananas, plantains and oranges. White Potato, Sweat Potato, barley, sorghum, millet, cloves, cassava, pepper and cinnamon are other important crops of Tanzania. In Southern Highlands, the wheat is grown in the district of Njombe. Major export of Tanzania is the cashew nuts in world. Cash crops of Tanzania are tea, coffee, tobacco, cotton, cloves, pyrethrum, oil seeds and horticulture crops. Sisal is another export of the Tanzania. Coconut, and sugarcane are also export crops of Tanzania (Ndembwike, 2006:106). Most important root and Tuber crop of Tanzania is Sweet Potato after Solanum Potato and Cassava. Sweet potato as a national food crop ranks at fourth position after maize, cassava and beans. Crops are the important for the food security and mainly used for home consumption. Yield of sweet potato per hectare is about 5.5 ton in Tanzania. Both sweet potato and Cassava are the main crops for the people in days of hunger. Sweet Potato and Cassava were not grown on a large scale in the wetter districts. Introduction of modified crops can result into introduction of dairy goats in the dry and agro-pastoral areas (African Association Des Agro Economists, 2013). Wheat is the staple food crop produced in the regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha. It is also produced on small scale in the southern regions of Rukwa, Mbeya and Iringa (Kilima. 2006:11) Main Export Crops Beside the meeting the requirements of Tanzanian people, the food crop sector has increased the production volume of the cash crops. By selling these products in foreign markets gets money in cash that is essential for the Tanzania’s economic growth. China, India, Canada, Japan, England, Germany and Netherlands buy the Tanzania’s exports. Main export crops of Tanzania to these countries are sisal, cotton, cloves, coffee, cashew nuts, and tobacco. Tea and spices are the other by products exported to foreign markets. Near the Kilimanjaro airport flower farms are situated which are appropriate to ship the flowers in Europe. The cotton crop is grown along the coast and plateau regions and area of Victoria Lake. Farmers of these are areas grow the cotton and sell through cooperation. Rich coffee bean grown in Tanzania are popular in USA, Asia and European countries. Coffee beans are grown in the northern mountains. Most farmers of coffee beans work on a small scale and sell their products in the local markets (Pritchett, 2006:59-60). Anderson (2011) worked on the agricultural sector of Tanzania and presented the structure of agriculture sector of Tanzania. He stated that crop production is the main contributor of GDP with more than 55%. Figure: Staple Crop Production (Source: Anderson, 2011) Regular occurrence of droughts in Tanzania reduces the agricultural impacts and need the well-established irrigation system. Growth in agriculture sectors is increased by an increase in the cultivated areas, and crop diversification (The World Bank, 2009:9-11). Most Tanzanian families have their agricultural farm located at more than 2 hectares. Maize is grown in the highlands in south and north of Tanzania. Farm size across the Tanzania varies. For example, Ruvurna is predominant area for tobacco crop with a size of 2.47 hectares. On the other hand, farm size of coffee is average at 1.08 hectares in Kilimanjaro. Men are common farm owners as compared to women. Government of Tanzania owns large agricultural farms with a size more than 5 hectares (Anderson, 2011). What crops might also be grown in Tanzania? Lint Cotton is expected crop of Tanzania, which may give more yield than other crop varieties. Cotton Board of Tanzania also expects more cotton crop production in the coming years (Ojambo, 2012). Farmers in the Mwanza, Geita, Shinyanga, Simiyu regions and northern region of Morogoro may expect the early maturing and drought tolerant crops. In the areas where rainfall is less than other areas, require the drought resistant varieties of crops. How will you make this Program sustainable? You need to think about soil nutrition, pest control [weeds and animals], irrigation and moisture retention. Soil Nutrition and Pest Control (weeds and animals) Cultivation of weeding is an important tillage type that does not involve the control of weeds but also incorporates the fertilizers. It also breaks up the surface crusts to a ridge. It is important for elimination of weeds through a pull function and place them or burry them in soil. Issue of keeping the weeds on the surface of earth requires attraction of farmers. Farmers should cut the weeds before the stage of seeds development (Food and Agriculture Organization 2000:34). Because of low soil fertility, poor seed and land degradation, the food productivity has decreased in Tanzania. Use of fertilizers is low in Tanzania (7-9 kg/ha) as compared to other African countries. Amount of residual Nitrogen is not sufficient for the intercropped maize in the succeeding season. Use of supplementary Phosphorous based fertilizers may also increase the productivity of crops. Use of Di-ammonium Phosphate as a supplementary fertilizer also produces high yield of maize as compared to low supplied DAP fields. Irrigation and Moisture Retention: Management of the water resources plays an important role for the improvement in food security and sustainability in the agriculture sector. Small farmers in Tanzania do not have the access of the water resources and depend on the rainfall for their crops. New irrigation schemes will also target the large as well as small farmers in the country. Government and private sectors need the investment in the construction of well-established irrigation system in Tanzania (United Nations, 2012). In dry land areas of Tanzania, the moisture is critical important for agricultural sustainability. Water retention and infiltration can be increased by addition of the organic matters in the soil. Different techniques for moisture retention can be used such as Sheet Mulching , Swales and Basins and Drip Irrigation. Kaplan and Blume (2011:62) also focused on the use of layers composed of compost, mulch or cardboard. Sheet Mulching is intended to decrease the water evaporation from the surface of soil. Irrigation system is also proven methods to conserve the moisture contents in the soil for a long period (Nolasco, 2012). What products will be grown for consumption within Tanzania? Tanzania was self sufficient in production of food crops until 1970s. Tanzania was a single African county that achieved the food production than the population during 1961 to 1966. This situation of self-efficiency in food changed during the drought years of 1973 to 1975 and maize crop was imported for the crises years. World Bank supported the Tanzania for maize program and soon it became able to produce enough maize for local consumption. Mboya et al., (2011) emphasized on the importance of maize as nutritive and valuable food crop for the domestic use in Tanzania. Katumba ward is best known for food security by using the efficient storage methods. What will you do about Agricultural trade? Agriculture sector of Tanzania need to take advantage of the opportunities, which are created through modification, environment and strategic realignment. For the protection of agricultural system, Tanzanian government needs to merge the related sectors. Livestock and Agriculture sectors are more related and farmers living conditions can be improved by giving them livestock facilities to increase the levels of their income. Increased production from agriculture and livestock also assures the food security and improvement in living styles of rural areas of Tanzania. Both, agriculture and livestock sectors directly link with production of by products, livestock products and export of the cash crops. Rapid growth and trade expansion are the set goals for agricultural trade policy of Tanzania. Poverty eradication is one the main goal of this trade policy. The trade policy must be based on the export-led growth. This trade policy will provide the space for government to intervene directly in the agriculture trade related matters. Trade liberalization will also enhance the domestic productivity and improving the products’ quality. So far, Tanzania is behind the target to derive the vital benefits due to low technology level, underdeveloped infrastructure, and human capital. Talking about the marketing channels under this trade policy, Millet and Sorghum producers will be given the access of commercialized markets. Millet and Sorghum producers will get opportunity to trade their products in long distance market (Rohrbach, 2007:6). Entry in the wholesale market for Sorghum and Millet trade is a better point of trade policy. Trading maize in the local market is not attractive as compared to price offered in the cross border markets. Maintenance of food security in reference of export of maize and other food crops should be considered carefully. Export channels also require the official routes in the country. What, if any, will be the role of Genetic modified organisms (GMOS)? Research studies have revealed that issue of GMOs has not fully solved in the African countries. African countries could not facilitate the bio safety laws in order to govern the development, research and trade for the biotech crops. Because of absence of legislation, most of African countries made a slow development in adoption of new biotechnologies (Jumba 2009:149). Paarlberg (2008:126) was the best scholar who argued in the favor of biotechnology adoption in African countries. In response of this, many other scholars argued to make more investment and research in African countries. Government of Tanzania enabled the environment for the development of new mechanism for the safe applications used for biotechnological research. Combination of legal, technical, policy and administration development was aimed to address the human as well as animal’s health. This development was prerequisite for getting the advantages from modern biotechnology (Mtui 2012). In Tanzania, the “National Biosafety Framework” was placed in March 2005. The scope of the NBF is highly significant for the processing of GMOs. In Tanzania, cotton and maize as modified crops have created more questions that are challenging. These questions have been asked in the context of potential, economic, ecological and social impacts of the GMOs on the small farmers. However, the maize verities are benefiting the Tanzania 10 to 15% during the drought days. Adoption of Bt Cotton is also adding more values and benefits for the farmers due to reduced pest damage. If GMOs are fully adopted in Tanzania, the possible benefits include the researchers of biotechnology and academic institutions, and farmers. Urban consumers and companies with biotechnology are other main contributors of fully adoption of GMOs in Tanzania. Tanzanian government with support of NGOs is minimizing the negative impacts of these GM crops and ensuring that all regulations are followed during the evaluation and adoption of GMOs. The key significant of GM cotton is the bearing of long drought season. Drought is main constraint of the African countries’ climate and affects severely the Maize crop. Since 1980s, Tanzanian people have faced most severe droughts in the region. Flooding also affected the growing of Maize crops in Tanzania. GMOs adoption for Tanzania is helpful in several ways. Pest resistance crops as compared to traditional crops may generate more cash for the farmers. Consumers are more prone to use of chemical free crops in Tanzania. The Bt Corn as GM food eliminated the concerns of consumers. GMOs are useful for the preparation of the herbicide tolerance crops. Genetically modified crops may prevent the excessive use of herbicides. Genetically modified Soya bean crop may require a single weak herbicide for killing the harmful herbs instead of using multiple applications (Whitman, 2000). What spin- off industries needs to be considered? The food security plan is intended to remove the barriers for crop growth at national level. The crop growth also links with poverty reduction rural areas of Tanzania. Food security plan also creates spin off industries such as employment and improves the biophysical environment for urban as well as rural population. It is also noticed that low-income families of Tanzania spend 85% of their income on food (Redwood, 2009:6). How will you include women in this program? Economy of Tanzania largely depends on the agriculture. Women and resources of Tanzania can strengthen their roles for the development of agricultural economy. Previous researches also proved that women hold their position and demonstrated various responsibilities for economic and social development in Tanzania. In the developing countries more than 50% food for the world is produced by the rural women. Women also consider the well being of their families. Rural women had been not assigned an important role in past to increase family income and reduce hunger in country. Moving forward the Tanzanian community requires the significant shift to increase the women’s role in food security, and global marketplace. Tanzanian government must support the small scale women farmers and also invest to increase their involvement for crop production to lucrative markets. Women face the important barriers in the rural areas i.e. inequalities in access to formal finance, fertilizer and labor. Women should be given membership, training and improved seedlings in rural agriculture organizations (Mehra and Rojas, 2009). Another constraint which requires to be solved the assurance of women participation in the food security in Tanzania is to overcome the right of land title to women in the country. If women are given the title of land, they can get loan and subsidies to purchase farm tools and agricultural machinery. Legal changes are necessary for women support to attain the property claims. Without title, women are not granted loans from lending institutions (Budryte, Vaughn and Riegg, 2009:78). Already, Tanzanian government planned projects for the participation of women. The project known as “Women in Irrigated agriculture and related activities” was conducted for 8 years in Usangu, and Mbeya regions. This project encompassed the labour rights and importance of women and men in decision making in agriculture. Simple objective of this program was to increase the agriculture production in concerned regions. In order to get full involvement of women in agricultural development and food security, the policy makers must take notice of gender issues. Participation of women increases the household security at the relevant level of household. However, the workload on women can be reduced by introducing the new technology that will reduce the working hours for the women and simplifies work (Kay, 2001:32). What types of fuels will you use for agriculture, cooking and heat? Dominant energy source in Tanzania is the biomass fuel used for more than 90% energy consumption. There are only 10% commercial energy sources and electricity accounts only 2% in it. Electricity consumption per capita is the lowest in Tanzania throughout world. This is not only due to insufficient energy resources but also population of Tanzania lack the access to modern energy sources. Electricity demand exceeds the generation of electricity in the Tanzania. This shortcoming in the energy sector of Tanzania impacts other sectors such as agriculture, and economic growth. People of Tanzania use the woods as cooking fuel. Residues of the crops are either burnt or left in the fields and people collect these crop residues and burn for cooking the foods at their homes (Schafer, Kebir and Philipp, 2011:115). Charcoal is another source of fuel produced from the areas of woodlands. Once charcoal produced is transported in other areas of country. Consumption of charcoal in Dar es Salam is about 24000 bags per day that comes from EAMs and associated basins. People in urban areas also use charcoal for cooking and heating (Ingeram, DeClerck and Rumbaities, 2012:179). Biomass and forest residues are used for the energy conversion into electricity for domestic and industrial purposes. Currently, limited forest and agriculture residues are used for the electricity generation. People in urban areas are adopting the modern living standards and trying to use more accessible, safer and clean sources of energy such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and electricity. Kerosene is still used in the rural areas of Tanzania for lightening purposes. Low level of technology is employed in agriculture sector of Tanzania that requires the low use of conventional energy. Energy from human and animal is the main input energy in agriculture sector. Solar and diesel demand contributes at a minor level for the total energy demand. Due to reforms in agriculture sector by Tanzanian government, use of diesel may increase as agricultural equipments are increasingly used in Agriculture sector (Casmiri, 2009:17). Small scale farmers and women are encouraged to produce the bio-fuels in order to get more income and improve their livelihood. In Arusha, small farmers were trained for processing of Jatropha seeds. Processed Jatropha seed is used is used for household cooking, lightening and running motors (ActionAid Tanzania, 2010:33). Natural gas and coal are other energy sources used as commercial fuels. Mnazi Bay and Songo Songo are the main regions from where natural gas is produced. There are untapped energy sources such as wing and solar and geothermal energy. Development of Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay natural gas resources will reduce the potential import of petroleum products. Necessary infrastructure is the important requirement for the natural gas resources development. How important will urban gardening be? Home-garden production is one the three crop production systems in Tanzania. Other two production systems include the per-urban production and open-space production. Home-garden production is also known as the backyard farming that involves the farming in the homes’ compounds. Plot size for the homes is small and people use home gardens for home consumption. Products’ selling occurs when plot size is big. Peri-urban production is the way of farming in the areas between municipal boundary and built up areas. The size of peri-urban plot is bigger than open spaces plots. Government institutions are the owner of open space and people who cultivate them never pay rent. Vegetables are grown in these open space plots for the commercial requirements. Climatic conditions determine the suitability of the crops for the open space production. Amaranth is most common crop of Arusha’s peri-urban zone. Okra is the most famous in the areas of Dar es Salaam. Home gardens, peri urban and open space areas are cultivated for all seasons of a year but seasonable differences also exist. During the rainy season, people grow beans and maize in these areas (Foeken, Sofer and Mlozi 2004). Like other countries of Africa, the urbanization in Tanzania is also increasing. According to UN (2010) Dar es Salam shared more than 30% of urban population in Tanzania. Food security is the major issue since the 1970s and 1980s food crises in Tanzania. Local residents of Dar es Salam provide the fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, sweet potato, pulses, Cassava and fruits coconut, banana, pineapple, papaya and cashew. Moreover, urban residents of Tanzania have integrated the farming in their economic life. Because, practices of urban agriculture are derived from the traditional rural migrants, urban residents, it is interpreted as the mean for reduction of household vulnerability to fluctuations in economy due to government policies, structural adjustment and fiscal constraints. The government discouraged urban gardening in Tanzania, but soon perceived the overall importance of urban gardening. Government employees have started the cultivation of vegetables and fruits in order to augment their income. Urban gardening is not the considered the mean of subsidizing the existing income but a way of keeping the nod of their region and a cultural status (Schmidt, 2011). What changes would you want made to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture so that the country (Tanzania) will have sufficient and sustainable agricultural program? The World Trade Organization’s agreements are aimed to safeguard the economic activities of the country through a set of instruments. These instruments are often known as the trade defense instruments and ensure the protection of host country’s trade policies. These instruments also expand and accelerate the trade with other countries. The “Agreement on Agriculture” is another reform process that is aimed to establish a fair market oriented system for agriculture. Three important pillar of this AoA include the export subsidies, market access and domestic support through negotiation. All developing countries including the Tanzania are agreed to work on three pillars through a negotiation process in the context of food security. Safeguard Measures: WTO agreement requires the specific modification on safeguarding the agriculture and related sub sectors from threat of injury caused by the surge of imports. Safeguard measures should be taken in the form of raised tariff as a permanent solution and not a temporary relief. Tanzanian government may take actions for trade expansion, free and fair competition in the national interest whenever necessary. Tanzania government may invoke the necessary trade defense procedures in line of WTO agreements. Safeguard measures may also invoked in the interest of public, and prevent the serious injury without any discrimination (Ngasongwa, 2003:49). Anti-Dumping measures: Dumping may distort the domestic trade of Tanzania and must be avoided. The WTO provides guidelines for prevention of dumping in the situation when practices impact the competition. Tanzania government should work at national level and enact laws of the anti-dumping. However, exact determination of material injury or threat on the Tanzania’s domestic industry, and dumping margin is difficult. As Tanzania is moving towards the liberalization process and anti-dumping measures are adequate used, as the effective instrument to safeguard the food industry of Tanzania Subsidies must be given with intention to increase the crop production, and diversifying the production. Promoting the technology for production in national and international markets is another objective of subsidies. WTO has clear rules of giving the subsidies. Export subsidy schemes under the provision of WTO must be placed in country Tanzania (Ngasongwa, 2003:50). References: ActionAid Tanzania (2010). Implication of biofuels production on food security in Tanzania. 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