New push to transform food systems
ZANZIBAR: EFFORTS to improve Tanzania’s food systems received a boost as government officials, private sector representatives, and non-governmental organisations came together to strengthen collaboration toward achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.
During a stakeholder meeting held at the UN offices in Kinazini area, Zanzibar, UN Area Coordinator-Zanzibar Ms Dorothy Temu-Usiri stressed the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation in transforming food systems to tackle hunger, reduce poverty, and promote development.
She said that food systems are not only essential for ending hunger but also play a key role in advancing global goals under the 2030 Agenda, including poverty eradication, environmental conservation, and peacebuilding.
Ms Temu-Usiri explained that Tanzania/Zanzibar has identified six priorities/pathways to transform its food systems to be inclusive, resilient, equitable, sustainable and healthy as critical to accelerating progress toward the UN’s 2030 targets.
She asked the media to point out the six pathways that include: production, productivity, and extraction in crop, livestock, fisheries, forestry sub-sectors; increased financing of agriculture and private sector engagement in food systems; and ensure nutritious, healthy and safe food diets for all including school feeding programmes.
A Nutrition Specialist from the World Food Programme (WFP), Ms Deborah Esau underscored the importance of coordinated action.
She explained that many sectors are working independently, which hinders meaningful progress in improving nutrition and food access.
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“Joint strategies are required to ensure food systems meet the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable,” she stressed.
On her part, Ms Zainab Hassan Moyo from the Ministry of Agriculture detailed ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing food security through agricultural, forestry, and livestock programmes, including soil health assessments. However, she pointed out budgetary constraints as a key barrier to implementation.
