WORLD FOOD
PROGRAMME
FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE
ORGANIZATION
Report on the National Food Security Situation
for the DPG Meeting of December 2010
Highlights
1.
The recent food security assessment report indicated overall significant food
security and nutrition improvements in the country, compared to the 2009/10 market
year with a larger part of the population likely to have fairly stable access to food at
least until January 2011.
2.
Crop production in parts of the country continued to be under the threat of
outbreaks rodents an. The magnitude of the outbreak this year is predicted to be bigger
than in the past two years. Government is taking control measures but may need
external support. There is also a red locusts threat red locust. For the latter, swamps
have been observed in some breeding areas, particularly those which were not covered
by major control operations in July-September this year due to environmental concerns.
3.
The recent IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) consensus
climate outlook has forecast a La Niña event over the Western and Eastern Part of the
region and calls for disaster risks reduction measures.
4.
The government grain stock in the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has
reached 170,000 MT, which is over 113% of the recommended emergency level of
150,000 MT.
5.
Despite the good food situation mentioned above, the August 2010 Food Security
and Nutrition Assessment found that some 423,530 people mostly from the Councils of
Longido, Monduli, Ngorongoro, Ruangwa and Simanjiro would need food aid
interventions during November 2010 through January 2011. Another Food Security and
Nutrition Assessment is recommended for January/February 2011 to determine what the
food security situation will be for additional 830,032 people in 28 Councils who are
potentially food insecure.
6.
FAO is currently distributing seed aid in 24 districts using part of the financial
contribution made by DfID early this year. Approximately 218,000 are targeted.
7.
Preparation of the CAADP investment proposals is in progress following the
signing of the Compact in July this year. The first draft of the Investment Plan is
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available for sharing with stakeholders including a plan for zonal workshops to enhance
wider participation.
1. Food Security and Nutrition Situation outlook for the 2010/11 Market Year
The assessment report conducted by the MUCHALI (Mfumo wa Uchambuzi wa Uhakika wa Cahkula
na Lishe) teams on the 2010-2011 food security and nutrition situation in the country has been
submitted to Tanzania National Relief Committee (TANDREC) for decision making.
The report indicated overall significant food security and nutrition improvements in the country,
compared to the 2009/10 market year with a larger part of the population likely to have fairly
stable access to food at least until January 2011. Nevertheless, the report highlighted 423,530
people mostly from the Councils of Longido, Monduli, Ngorongoro, Ruangwa and Simanjiro to be
facing acute food access problems, and requiring food assistance amounting to 13,766 metric tons
(MT) for the period of November 2010 to January 2011, comprising of 1,376 MT for free
distributions to 42,353 extremely resource weak people with low resilience; and the remaining
12,386 MT for subsidized prices for 381,177 people. Furthermore, the report recommended seed
assistance amounting to 3,208 MT to the resource weak and vulnerable households for supporting
recovery of their livelihoods.
In addition, the report recommended an assessment in January/February 2011 in 28 Local
Government Authorities to determine required interventions (if any), for 830,000 people whose
current food security and nutrition status was marginal.
On the other hand, the report established that access to sufficient, clean and safe water for human
use was chronically poor in almost all assessed LGAs. Most households surveyed indicated
accessing water from unprotected sources, boreholes and dams, with availability worsening during
dry seasons, which could result into severe nutritional, health and care consequences to the
population.
Therefore, the report recommends mounting programmes for construction and
rehabilitation of water sources and provision of better health services, as well as mounting
household education and awareness on basic nutrition and water hygiene practices, which would
improve water quantity and quality.
2. Reported outbreaks of pests and diseases
2.1 Rodents:
The increasingly reported rodent outbreaks continue to pose a threat to crop production and
household food security. This month, a fresh outbreak has been reported in Newala District
Council, Mtwara Region. MAFC and Local Government Authorities experts are in the field continuing
with control activities in the infested District Councils of Mbarali (Mbeya Region), Kilombero and
Kilosa (Morogoro Region), Bagamoyo and Rufiji (Pwani Region), Karatu (Arusha Region),
Nachingwea, Liwale and Lindi Rural (Lindi Region) and Newala. The magnitude of the outbreak, this
year, is predicted to be bigger than in the past two years. While the Government is taking
necessary control measures, it may need external support.
2.2 Red Locusts
Red locust swarms have been observed in some breeding areas of Malagarasi, Katavi and
Wembere plains. Survey operations are underway to determine extent of the problem and plan for
control measures. The survey report will be out by mid December.
2.3. Armyworms:
The situation is currently calm, however, planned operations including, surveying and servicing of
traps in readiness of any outbreaks are in progress.
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3. Pre-emptive action to protect Livelihoods from confirmed La Niña event
The recent IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) consensus climate outlook has
forecast a La Niña event over the Western and Eastern Part of the region. La Niña is a coupled
ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño. Its effects are likely to be felt
between late 2010 and mid-2011. During this period, drought spells and floods are predicted.
La Niña will impact livelihoods in the region differently. It will likely have the greatest impact on
pastoral and marginal cropping areas. The climatic event La Niña will cause reduced local food
supply and incomes, which would exacerbate food insecurity. For pastoralists, one failed rainy
season will not hit hard, but it is the subsequent seasonal failure that is the key area of concern.
Malnutrition situation could also worsen particularly in the areas that have been facing persisting
chronically high malnutrition levels.
Therefore, there is need for 1) further understanding of the “normal” livelihood activities of the
vulnerable communities and the impact of the on La Niña on these “normal” livelihood strategies
(including their level of coping) can provide a seasonal timeline to plan interventions; and 2)
preemptive action focusing on contingency planning and response strategies (such as fund
mobilization) in order to protect livelihoods in order to avoid later costly lifesavings emergency
interventions.
4. Emergency food stocks build up to 170,000 MT
The government through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has been building its grain
reserve to 170,000 MT which is over 113% of the recommended emergency level of 150,000 MT.
The government has purchased over 120,000 MT this marketing season, an activity which is
ongoing in maize surplus areas. The stocks are prepositioned in its seven (7) strategic locations of
Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Songea, Makambako, Dodoma, Sumbawanga and Shinyanga.
5. Emergency Seed Distribution
FAO is currently distributing maize, paddy and sorghum seed in 24 districts using part of the
financial contribution from DfID early this year. Approximately 218,000 households are targeted.
6. Post CAADP Compact Process in Tanzania
The Tanzania Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plan (TAFSIP) has been developed by the
national drafting team following the signing, in July 2010, of the CAADP Compact for Tanzania. The
first draft of Tanzania Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition Investment Plan (TAFSIP) has been
developed and it will be share with stakeholders before finalization. The Investment Plan has
detailed the priority areas that that require resource investment and it is costed to facilitate funds
mobilization.
7. Availability of staple foods and food prices
Prices of food crops have since July this year, generally stabilized to their five-year averages
(2005-2009) and lower than the same period in 2009 (Figure 1). The trend confirms the overall
current satisfactory availability and supplies of food commodities to rural and urban markets,
respectively.
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Figure 1: Average Monthly Wholesale Prices of Maize in Reference Urban
Markets in Tanzania Mainland
Source of Data: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing
However, the forecasted below normal rainfall performance due to the La Niña event, whose
effects of sporadic rainfall have already been felt during October and November, and are likely to
be felt until mid-2011, could cause food production shortfalls countrywide, thus trigger prices to
rise, as well as, affecting pastures and water conditions for livestock, subsequently resulting into
food security and nutrition crises in the country.
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