Dr Mpango: What Africa should do to become food self-sufficiency

DAR ES SALAAM: Vice President Dr Philip Mpango has advised African countries to ensure that peace and security prevails as the continent eyes to become food self-sufficiency through better policies, practices, and investments.

The VP offered a piece of advice when opening the Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday adding that peace and security are important prerequisites for functioning food systems.

“Millions of displaced people and refugees in Africa and in the world have had their lives and food production capacities disrupted. These are farmers and livestock keepers who used to be self-reliant but because of wars and conflicts they suffer the indignity of depending on the generosity and good will of others and this must stop,” the Tanzania’s Vice President said.

He added: “We should embrace peaceful ways of resolving conflicts and ensure that peace and security prevail in the continent and other parts of the world.”

Additionally, Dr Mpango also pointed out the importance of African countries to harness existing scientific knowledge including indigenous technology to produce and process enough food for its people and global makers while insisting on the importance of farmers’ protection by forsaking all sorts of exploitative practices to farmers by enforcing the use of standard ways and measures.