Tanzania's Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has stated that food security is a critical component of national security and a foundation for maintaining economic stability. Speaking at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on the sidelines of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, Dr Nchemba, who is representing President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan in the United States, outlined why the government views agriculture as central to economic resilience. "Food security in Tanzania is a matter of national security. When food availability and nutrition are stable, we are in a stronger position to manage other economic indicators," he said.
The Prime Minister drew on his experience leading the ministries responsible for agriculture, livestock and fisheries, as well as finance, to emphasise the direct link between food production and economic stability. He noted that Tanzania has demonstrated resilience despite recent global economic challenges, with stable food production contributing significantly to that resilience. This connection between agricultural output and broader economic performance underpins the government's view that investment in the food system is investment in national wellbeing.
Achieving food security, according to Dr Nchemba, requires sustained investment, scientific innovation, climate-resilient agriculture, sound policies and cooperation among the government, the private sector and research institutions. The government has outlined specific priorities to transform the entire agricultural and food system. These include increasing productivity, strengthening value chains, expanding crop processing and improving transport and supply systems. Dr Nchemba said these measures are intended to ensure that a greater share of the value generated from agriculture remains within Tanzania, while creating more opportunities for farmers and expanding employment prospects for young people.
For savers, borrowers and businesses in Tanzania, the government's emphasis on agricultural transformation and food system resilience signals that policymaking will remain focused on building stable food production as a foundation for managing inflation and other economic indicators.