Food grain marketing in Burkina Faso - The challenge of food security

Within the general framework of structural adjustment policies, market liberalization is the major policy instrument of the Burkinabe government for improving the functioning of the food grain market. A properly functioning grain market constitutes an important asset for a food security policy as it improves food availability. However, the market mechanism does not solve the food insecurity problems of households that lack the necessary food entitlements. At the household level the threats of chronic and transitory food insecurity persist. To reduce the severity of these problems, a government policy is required. General measures to improve food production, job creation and income diversification as well as government support for initiatives taken by non-governmental organizations may reduce the chronic food problem. However, when a famine occurs, a transitory food insecurity problem threatens most households. In these cases the government has an important role to play in coordinating the timely replenishment of the deficit. Early warning and early action are needed. In Burkina Faso the early action component is unsatisfactory. A policy blueprint should be prepared that accurately answers the major strategic questions: How can the food grain deficit be balanced efficiently? How can the market be used as an instrument to distribute food? and How can the poor obtain the required entitlements?.