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African Urban Consumers and Food Supply and Distribution Systems

Food Supply and Distribution to Cities in French-Speaking Africa









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    Book (stand-alone)
    Food Security in African Cities - The Role of Food Supply and Distribution Systems
    Food supply and distribution in francophone African Towns
    1997
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    This paper examines the relationship between food security and the Food Supply and Distribution Systems (FSDS) in Francophone African towns, against the background of a steeply rising urban demand, in a fluctuating social and economic environment. It also provides input for the preparation of policies to develop urban FSDS to improve the food security of the people in the countries of Africa undergoing economic stabilization programmes. Looking back and at different countries one can see t hat FSDS are highly dependent on the concept of general policy, which itself swings according to convictions currently in vogue. FSDS can only be viewed in terms of social objectives, which are an essential prerequisite to defining policy. After reviewing the major challenges facing urban Africa today and tomorrow, the paper examines the particular context of the structural adjustment programmes and their impacts on different constituent elements of food security: meeting need in terms of quantity and quality, access and risk. This is followed by a consideration of the political options for the future: should priority go to supplying the towns, using national, regional or international resources? What role should government and the institutions, including the financial institutions, play? How can employment be fostered, and under what conditions? How should the information needed to ensure the proper operation of a free market system be managed? A number of indispensable issues b efore defining FSDS development policies are then developed: clear objectives must be pursued by government, a methodological framework adopted with a ulti-disciplinary focus, a food security monitoring system instituted, and the policies adopted must be evaluated.
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    Book (stand-alone)
    The Constraints on Food Supply and Distribution Systems to African Towns: The Viewpoints of FSDS Actors
    Food Supply and Distribution to Cities
    1997
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    Despite differences in pace and sequencing of adjustment programmes, economic liberalization has had far-reaching effects on the structure and the relative importance of actors involved in the supply and distribution of food in most African cities. Market reforms called for significant changes in the role of public and private sector agencies in food supply and distribution. Most public trading and marketing organizations previously responsible for marketing local and imported goods have been el iminated or privatized, while the private sector have now taken centre stage in food supply systems in many African cities. In Guinea, for instance, traders no longer need a licence or permit to import and/or distribute foodstuffs and are only required to submit import applications to banks. In Senegal and Burkina Faso, the role of the Ministry of Trade in food supplies is limited to drawing up and applying regulations for the whole trade sector. Major problems have arisen, however, as a result of these changes largely because of capacity constraints which limit the ability of the private sector to operate an efficient food supply chain. The public sector is similarly constrained in performing its facilitating role of supporting private initiative and coordinating an effective food supply policy for cities. Many actors face a variety of problems in performing their essential functions, including financing, purchasing, storage, transport, sales, coordination and planning.
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    Book (stand-alone)
    Food for the Cities. Food Supply and Distribution Policies to Reduce Urban Food Insecurity.
    A Briefing Guide for Mayors, City Executives and Urban Planners in Developing Countries and Countries in Transition
    2000
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    Feeding cities plus the rising total of poor urban households in developing countries and countries in transition is the challenge facing City and Local Authorities. This guide intends to brief the Mayors, City Executives and Urban Planners, including specialists in food production, market development, public health, environment, forestry and agroforestry, on the compelling need for food supply and distribution policies and programmes. These would lower the cost of accessing food by low-income h ouseholds in their cities and stimulate private investment. It reviews the role of City and Local Authorities in food supply and distribution at regional, metropolitan, urban and local level along with the key steps for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of required interventions. This guide stresses the necessity for a proper understanding of local conditions, an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and participatory approach to finding sustainable solutions, a forecast of urban food se curity and collaboration between institutions and organizations. The direct involvement of the private sector is essential for sustainable planning decisions.

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