Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Details for Mechanism ID: 12202
Country/Region: Tanzania
Year: 2010
Main Partner: Not Available
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $0

The objectives of this activity are to (a) meet the nutritional needs of PLWA, (b) develop prescription food processing capacity in Tanzania, and (c) improve the economic well-being of individuals in the production and distribution value chain. This endeavor will contribute to the Partnership Framework Goal 3: Leadership, Management, Accountability, and Governance. More specifically, it will to build the capacity of non-state actors at national and local levels in the HIV/AIDS response.

This activity will have significant health and economic development impact. Maize, soya beans and possibly other grains will be sourced from all smallholder farmers in the country, and the fortified food will be distributed to needy individuals throughout the country. Because HIV patients may have a weak appetite, they need a food that is palatable, easily digestible, and which provides maximum nutrition in small quantities. Thus fortified flour that can easily cooked or that can be further processed into more complex fortified foods and drinks can greatly improve the health of HIV infected people. Currently fortified flour is purchased from a Kenyan firm that sources grains from Tanzania.

This activity leverages the for-profit private sector's economic clout, connections, and capacity to make things happen in a cost effective manner. In September 2009, General Mills, one of the world's leading food companies with more than 150 years of experience in the food industry, entered into an agreement with OGAC and USAID to transfer technical and business expertise to 15 sub-Saharan countries; Tanzania is the first country to participate in the initiative. This partnership may lead to investment in long-term partnerships between General Mills and local millers. This PPP thus lays the foundation for PEPFAR's exit by having secured the attention and commitment of business leaders to addressing HIV/AIDS. General Mills is required to submit quarterly progress reports that document the results being achieved.

Funding for Care: Adult Care and Support (HBHC): $0

The Tanzanian agro-processing industry consists of 614 food processing plants in Tanzania that range from micro to large scale food process plants. Micro, small and medium sized plants represent 89.1% of food processors in Tanzania, but they are unable to adopt and institutionalize Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and to produce fortified flour and foods required by PLWHA. This nationwide activity will build that capacity through technology transfer from General Mills to local millers. PPPs inherently are targeted leveraging mechanisms and, in this instance, will leverage the business acumen, food technology expertise and global recognition of General Mills International in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is expected that this activity in the long-term will lead to the profitable production of a range of nutritious foods for the general public, which will be used to subsidize the more expensive production of fortified, prescription foods for PLWHA. This PPP thus lays the foundation for PEPFAR's exit by developing sustainable, domestic capacity to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.