Tanzania has set a remarkable standard in food security, achieving 128% food sufficiency and becoming a net exporter of agricultural produce to neighboring countries.
This milestone, accomplished without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), was highlighted by President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue held in Iowa on October 31, 2024.
During the high-level session titled “Bold Measures to Feed Africa”, moderated by African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President Suluhu Hassan provided insights into Tanzania’s agricultural progress. She underscored the nation’s current priorities: enhancing food quality, ensuring accessibility and affordability, and minimizing post-harvest losses.
A Stance Against GMOs in Favour of Agroecology
Tanzania’s success is particularly noteworthy given its firm opposition to GMOs.
The country upheld bans on GMO trials in both 2016 and 2021, citing concerns about preserving biodiversity, safeguarding local seed systems, and maintaining resource sovereignty. Tanzanian officials have described GMOs as a “false solution” tied to neocolonialism and economic dependency.
Instead, the nation has championed agroecological farming and localized seed systems. This approach has bolstered resilience to environmental challenges while maintaining control over agricultural resources and ensuring sustainable practices.
Global Perspectives on GMOs
Tanzania’s achievements resonate globally, aligning with recent anti-GMO policies in other nations. In Mexico, newly inaugurated President Claudia Sheinbaum has upheld a ban on the cultivation and consumption of GMO white corn, aiming to protect food sovereignty and local crop production. However, this policy has triggered a trade dispute with the United States under the USMCA framework.
South Africa has also made strides, with its Supreme Court of Appeal reversing the commercial release of Monsanto’s genetically modified drought-tolerant maize. The decision was influenced by concerns over environmental impacts and flawed approval processes.
Lessons for Nigeria
As Nigeria prepares for an investigative hearing on November 19, 2024, to assess GMO introduction, Tanzania’s example offers critical lessons. Despite rejecting GMOs, Tanzania has achieved food sufficiency by focusing on sustainable and localized agricultural methods.
For Nigeria, addressing food security challenges through agroecological strategies could ensure long-term sustainability while reducing reliance on genetically modified solutions.
Tanzania’s journey demonstrates that food security can be achieved through environmentally responsible policies, empowerment of local farmers, and innovative agricultural practices—without compromising national sovereignty.
