Food, Markets and Nutrition: Maximising the Impacts of Private Sector Engagement in Tanzania. Case Studies and Key Messages from the Workshop

Abstract

This report summarises the findings of a workshop for representatives of the Tanzanian government, development partners, civil society and private sector organisations, hosted by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) on 30 March 2015. The workshop focused on strengthening the impacts of market-based approaches for improving nutrition in Tanzania, including improving ongoing initiatives and developing the next generation of programmes and supportive policies. Drawing on IDS research, it provided an overview of the key constraints facing markets and nutrition and the options to address them. It provided participants with an opportunity to undertake a market systems analysis of real case studies from Tanzania. The workshop concluded by identifying priority issues and gaps that affect programmes in Tanzania. Participants collectively identified the following three priorities for future programme development and policymaking: 1. There is a need for new and more effective processes and structures for enforcement. 2. Public awareness and trust (particularly in processed foods) is needed at the national scale, beyond the direct influence of particular projects. 3. There is a need for better structures for coordinating programmes that involve multiple actors and different sectors (public/private/civil society organisations – CSOs).