Tanzania has emerged as a beacon of food security in Africa, achieving an impressive 128% food sufficiency and becoming a net exporter of agricultural produce to neighboring countries.
This remarkable milestone, attained without the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), was celebrated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Iowa on October 31, 2024.
Speaking at a high-level session titled “Bold Measures to Feed Africa”, moderated by African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President Suluhu Hassan shared insights into Tanzania’s agricultural success. She emphasized the country’s current focus on improving food quality, accessibility, affordability, and reducing post-harvest losses.
The country upheld a ban on GMO trials in both 2016 and 2021, citing concerns about biodiversity conservation, resource preservation, and the integrity of local seed systems. Officials have voiced skepticism about GMOs, describing them as a “false solution” rooted in neocolonialism and economic dependency.
Tanzania has invested in agroecological farming practices and localized seed systems. By prioritizing sustainable agriculture, the nation has ensured resilience against environmental challenges while maintaining sovereignty over its agricultural resources.
Tanzania’s approach aligned with recent actions in other countries rejecting GMOs in favor of food sovereignty. In Mexico, newly inaugurated President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed the country’s ban on the cultivation and consumption of GMO white corn, a policy designed to safeguard food sovereignty and local crop production. This move has sparked a trade dispute with the United States under the USMCA framework.
As Nigeria prepares for an investigative hearing on November 19, 2024, experts have said Tanzania’s experience can offer valuable lessons.
Nigeria, grappling with food security challenges, they said may draw inspiration from Tanzania’s agroecological strategies to prioritize long-term sustainability over dependency on genetically modified solutions.
