Prosperity the Answer

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

4 June 2011

editorial

There are good reasons why a huge increase in population is alarming. However, it all boils down to the ability of the country to feed, house, clothe and provide other basic necessities to the extra mouths. Already, catering for Tanzania’s current population of just under 40 million, is a headache for planners.

A report by Oxfam Tanzania that the population will hit the 82 million mark by 2050 is definitely a source of national concern. Oxfam is right in questioning the country’s ability to support a bigger population, in the wake of the ever-increasing food insecurity.

But we believe a country like ours with vast tracts of arable land can do better and should not necessarily be thrown into a panic. If well exploited, the numerous mineral and other resources can cater for more people. In fact, a huge population could come in handy as a market for good and services.

In agriculture, the enormous potential is not being fully exploited. We are only too aware of the post-harvest losses due to lack of storage and other shortcomings. Also, a large number of our farmers still use the rudimentary village peasant methods.

Also, while surplus food rots in some regions, others are ravaged by hunger and starvation. Instead of panicking about population growth now, we must revolutionise and revitalise agriculture to boost productivity. As we worry about population increase, in the affluent societies, the reverse is the case, and they have been compelled to import labour.

The experience in those developed countries is that when people become more prosperous, they tend to have smaller families. Therefore, increased efforts to develop every part of Tanzania are the best way to banish the population explosion fears.

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