Domestic production for food security Presentation by FORTE ALBERTO MUWANGA LAMECK

Introduction: What does it mean domestic production? What does it mean domestic production? What are the linkages between domestic production and food security? What are the linkages between domestic production and food security? Sometimes, there could be some misunderstandings. In fact, domestic production is not automatically used to feed the local population. In a pure free market, producers are allowed to sell their product both to domestic or foreign consumers. Here, a problem of food security can arise. Let’s give some examples: Sometimes, there could be some misunderstandings. In fact, domestic production is not automatically used to feed the local population. In a pure free market, producers are allowed to sell their product both to domestic or foreign consumers. Here, a problem of food security can arise. Let’s give some examples:

Some paradoxes The region of Latin America and Caribbean is a net exporter of food for more than 27 million $, while more than 57 million of people are undernourished (data: FAO 2006) The region of Latin America and Caribbean is a net exporter of food for more than 27 million $, while more than 57 million of people are undernourished (data: FAO 2006) In the same way, for example, Nicaragua is a net exporter of food for more than 2 million $, while 1,5 million of nicaraguan people are suffering from undernourishment (data: FAO 2006) In the same way, for example, Nicaragua is a net exporter of food for more than 2 million $, while 1,5 million of nicaraguan people are suffering from undernourishment (data: FAO 2006)

How food security could be reached through local production? 2 different views: 1. The mainstream approach (World Bank, FAO) 2. An alternative approach (NGO’s and food sovereignty)

The mainstream approach (WB, FAO) Technological improvements (GMO, capital intensive agricultural activities) Technological improvements (GMO, capital intensive agricultural activities) Improvement of the markets mechanisms (input market, credit market, financial market) Improvement of the markets mechanisms (input market, credit market, financial market) Provision of infrastructures (roads, electricity) Provision of infrastructures (roads, electricity) Non-farm activities. Domestic production is just one possible way. Food security could be also reached through the generation of income. Non-farm activities. Domestic production is just one possible way. Food security could be also reached through the generation of income.

An alternative approach to domestic production. The view of NGO’s: food sovereignty

1.Small-scale production. A production carried out by smallholders (diversified production) rather than by large producers mainly interested in exporting (cash crop)

2. More involvement of the state Land reform (where there is a problem of distribution of land) Land reform (where there is a problem of distribution of land) Facilitations in the provision of inputs (fertilizers, credit, education) Facilitations in the provision of inputs (fertilizers, credit, education) Interventions to stabilize prices: creation of stabilization funds in order to face emergencies Interventions to stabilize prices: creation of stabilization funds in order to face emergencies

More or less, those were the functions of the governmental agencies called marketing boards that were working in many developing countries in ’60-’70 (even if land reform was not included). They have been later abolished in the frame of the World Bank’s adjustment programs of the ’80. More or less, those were the functions of the governmental agencies called marketing boards that were working in many developing countries in ’60-’70 (even if land reform was not included). They have been later abolished in the frame of the World Bank’s adjustment programs of the ’80.

3. Sustainable production and agro-ecology. Sustainable from an ecological point of view, sustainable for the people involved (the farmers and their families)

Conclusions: which of the two ways is better to achieve the goal of food security? Our conclusion is that what we called the “alternative view” to food security is more suitable to reach the objective than the mainstream view. Our conclusion is that what we called the “alternative view” to food security is more suitable to reach the objective than the mainstream view.

Some considerations The mainstream view is more a long term strategy, while food security is something urgent to achieve; The mainstream view is more a long term strategy, while food security is something urgent to achieve; It also relies too much on the functioning of the markets, being in this way dependent on price and demand fluctuations as well as on crisis of all kind; It also relies too much on the functioning of the markets, being in this way dependent on price and demand fluctuations as well as on crisis of all kind; The alternative view, otherwise, gives priority to the interests of the local people. It is in this sense that the concept of food sovereignty has been coined. A country should first of all provide its population with food. In this perspective, domestic production should play a central role. The alternative view, otherwise, gives priority to the interests of the local people. It is in this sense that the concept of food sovereignty has been coined. A country should first of all provide its population with food. In this perspective, domestic production should play a central role.

Thank you for your attention!