Title_ Policy Engagement for Enhancing Local Food Security Plan in Ileje District, Tanzania

Author_ Francis Mwaijande and Festo Maro

Pages 119-144

Abstract_ This policy engagement study was carried out in April, 2012 as a follow-up to the situational assessment of food security study conducted in Ileje district in May, 2011. The study collected information at two focus group discussions (FGDs) in Ilulu and Mbebe villages of Ileje district as well as from key informants at the District Finance and Planning Committee. The study question is: how policy engagement for local food security is guided in Ileje district. The study combines the findings of the FS report, a desk review of current local government planning process, district planning guidelines 2011, district development plan, district agriculture development plan, district agricultural planning processes, and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders in the district development plan planning process. The first part of the paper revisits the district budget and how the District Agriculture Development Plan (DADP) accommodates the concept of food security. The second part of the paper looks at the policy engagement and the decision making process regarding District Development Plan (DDP) by answering questions of who is involved in the local food security planning, how local food security is attained, and how best policy engagement can ensure food security at the district level.

Keywords_ food security, poverty, Tanzania.