Food security is of considerable importance to the countries of Southern Africa. Regional agricultural trade could play an increasing role in sustainable food security provided that food is permanently available and prices are to be stabilised. In contrast, current agricultural policy measures in Tanzania and Zambia reflect a conspicuous conflict between national food security and desired trade liberalisation. Government intervention influences trade in general and those involved in trade in particular. Thus, for example, the Tanzanian ban on staple food demotivates agriculturalists and traders to participate in shaping the market. The potential to expand cross-border trade between the two countries does exist. What is crucial is the political will to take action.

Alfred Gerken
Centre for Advanced Training in Rural Development (SLE)
Humboldt University
Berlin, Germany
alfred-gerken@t-online.de

Daniela Bese, Andrea Düchting, Henri Gebauer, Christian Rupschus
Young professionals of the SLE