Journalists conduct research on the New Alliance in Tanzania

CELEP has worked with the European Parliament on a report on the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN). The NAFSN is a public–private partnership which “commits to policy changes and investments that accelerate implementation of African country plans for improving food security and nutrition”. There is an interest for CELEP, as some of the countries targeted through the NAFSN are in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia and Tanzania). Different NGOs and research institutes have been particularly concerned about the impact of this programme, mainly due to its focus on large-scale agriculture and big investments. On the CELEP website, you can also find some briefs University, proposing clear linkages between the investment done through the NAFSN and pastoralism in Eastern Africa.

The CELEP core group proposed to follow up on this resolution and investigate how the New Alliance and, in general, investment in large-scale agriculture are influencing pastoralism in Eastern Africa and particularly in Tanzania, one of the focal countries of the New Alliance. Recently, CELEP sent a team of two journalists to Tanzania to conduct research on the New Alliance and how it – through investments in SAGCOT (Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania)  is impacting on pastoralists’ lives in Tanzania. Three articles are now accessible on the MO (Mondiaal Nieuws / Global News) website in both Dutch and English.

The first article looks at the recent shift of development aid from the traditional aid for Third World countries towards the current developing consensus, in which the private sector plays a major role. The article scrutinises the NAFSN and reviews the growing criticism on the Alliance.

Less aid, more private capital: new colonization of developing countries?  can be found here.

The second article tells the story of how land grabbing severely affects the livelihoods of many, with an example of the nomadic pastoralist Maasai in Tanzania. It also addresses the role of the Tanzanian government, wanting to develop the country by attracting investors. Those projects are being promoted under the premise that fertile land is abundant but, in practice, this land is almost always occupied. This means that large-scale agricultural projects are driving people off their land.

Tanzania allows Maasai land to be stolen under the guise of development can be read here.

And the final article published on the MO website is about the legislation amendment in Tanzania, creating a difficult environment for Tanzanian farmers. In order to receive development assistance, Tanzania has to give Western agribusiness full freedom and give enclosed protection for patented seeds. The new law criminalises the practice in Tanzania. Where the majority of the seeds are being shared and sold in an informal system between neighbors, friends and family, Tanzanian farmers are facing heavy prison sentences if they continue their traditional seed exchange.

The article Tanzanian farmers are facing heavy prison sentences if they continue their traditional seed exchange can be found here.

 

Posted on 14 December 2016 in CELEP Documents, News, Pastoral Research & Innovation