Tanzania has achieved a food surplus and is now exporting to its neighbors. This raises hopes that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable. The AfDB now calls for the implementation of commitments from the Dakar 2 Food Summit.
Food security : Exporting Tanzanian surpluses to neighboring Countries
Tanzania is recognized for its steady progress towards food self-sufficiency thanks to its expanding agricultural industry. « Tanzania is setting new benchmarks in food self-sufficiency across Africa, sparking hope that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable », said Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Dr. Adesina praised Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan after she announced that Tanzania has achieved 128 % food security and is now exporting its surpluses to neighboring countries.
Speaking during a session titled « Bold Measures to Feed Africa, President Samia stated that since Tanzania has achieved food self-sufficiency, we are now working on the quality, accessibility, and affordability of products, as well as ways to minimize post-harvest losses ».
AfDB’s Feed Africa program
Despite its potential to feed itself and the rest of the world, Africa is home to a third of the world’s hungry people. Paradoxically, only 10 % of Africa’s vast savannah is cultivated, with the remaining 90 % left unexploited.
It is possible to achieve the « Zero Hunger » goal in Africa by investing in increasing agricultural productivity, supporting climate-smart agricultural systems, and investing in the private sector throughout the food value chain.
The AfDB plans to invest 10 billion USD over five years to enhance Africa’s capacity to end hunger on the continent and become the world’s leading food supplier.
In addition to continuing the implementation of its Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa (2016-25), the Bank assists Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in expanding special agro-industrial processing zones. The objective is to fulfill the commitment made at Dakar 2 to develop food and agricultural product distribution pacts and implement measures included in the African Emergency Food Production Facility.
Improving farmers’ income and livelihoods
The Bank hosted a high-level event for the African Climate Risk Insurance Mechanism for Adaptation. The objective is to mobilize 1 billion USD in concessional capital and grants. These funds will be dedicated to reducing risks associated with private sector investments, focusing on the development and adoption of insurance solutions.
The initiative will leverage the extensive network of primary insurers across Africa, enhancing their capacity to provide effective and innovative insurance solutions at scale. For example, the agricultural infrastructure rehabilitation project in the South-West region of Madagascar gives new momentum to agriculture and farmers’ incomes.
« The project has also contributed to developing climate-resistant seeds and helped farmers adopt resilient agricultural practices to increase production, rehabilitate lowlands, and strengthen value chains », detailed the AfDB President.
It is noteworthy that rice yields in the project area increased from 3.1 to 5.3 tonnes per hectare. Lima bean yields reached 1.2 tonnes per hectare, double the 0.6 tonnes produced 10 years ago. « These higher yields have helped increase farmers’ average annual income from 416 to 478 USD », he summarized.
