The real story behind the food crisis in Zambia.

• Author: Lewanika, Mwananyanda Mbikusita
• Position: Bio-Repression

The Zambian economy has had a history of over-dependence on the mining industry. This state of affairs has been balanced by increased investing in the agricultural industry. In the 1970's and 80's, agricultural production was increasing steadily. The problem was in the management of post harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities. The situation changed at the onset of the 90's due to the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Structural Adjustment Programs stopped government involvement in agricultural production. The government removed agricultural subsidies and stopped procuring agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizer. This move adversely affected small-scale farmers who produced 80% of the food. Subsequently food production dropped, making it difficult for the government to manage food emergencies.

Zambia experienced a food crisis in the 2001-2002 agricultural season due to unfavorable weather conditions. The food crisis was most acute in the Southern Province of Zambia and to some varying degree in parts of Eastern, Central, Western and Lusaka Provinces. This particular food crisis was nothing unique because usually food shortages or sometimes famine in Southern Africa caused by drought are cyclical, like El Nino.

In response to the food crisis, the World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations offered Zambia food aid in the form of corn. The WFP only informed the Zambian government that some of the corn was genetically engineered (GE) after it was already in the country. Three institutions--the National Science and Technology Council, the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Soils and Crop Research Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives--independently advised their respective Government Ministries against the acceptance of the GE food aid. The government advised the WFP not to distribute the GE food aid until further notice.

National consultation on GE food aid

The Zambian government then called for a national consultation on whether or not the country should accept GE food aid. The national consultation was conducted in the form of meetings, interactive radio programs, interactive television programs and newspaper articles. Some people contributed to the national consultation on GE food aid by writing letters to newspaper editors. Even Zambians who lived outside the country expressed their views...