A survey, conducted by Professor Stefano Bocchi from the University of Milan has revealed that a majority of small scale farmers in Arusha do not apply good practices to increase agricultural production. Prof. Bocchi defines good agricultural practices as methods to increase agricultural production without destroying the environment particularly in the wake of climate change.

Preliminary information from the survey indicates that a majority of small scale farmers in Arusha cannot increase agricultural production significantly because their farms are too small. Many small scale farmers apply inter-cropping and crop rotations which are good agricultural practices. But there are concerns that the farmers plant some crops like maize in dry areas. Maize requires relatively much water to grow.

There is a concern that a majority of interviewed small scale farmers in Arusha apply excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides in their vegetable gardens. The practice will lead to decreased agricultural production in the future as a result of over fertilization of soils or where pests become resistant to pesticides. Let alone the fact that over sprayed food is not quality food.

Meanwhile, there is concern that some small scale farmers in Arusha have limited access to improved seeds. It happens because some traders sell fake seeds to farmers. The traders package fake seeds using reputable labels.

On their part, small scale farmers in Arusha cannot produce adequately because they lack adequate funds to buy seeds during planting seasons. It happens because planting seasons come when the farmers have spent much of their revenues from farming to address other needs. Some small scale farmers form micro finance credit facilities to address the problem. In addition, there are reports that small scale farmers in Arusha have started to set aside part of their harvest as seeds for planting during the following seasons. It is true for grains but not for vegetables.

Limited access to water for irrigation and the fact that small scale farmers do not have storage facilities are the other concerns for food security in Arusha.

It can be noted that the international community is concerned about food security as well. For example, "Sustainable Food Systems for Food and Nutrition Security" is the Theme for the 2013 World Food Day. The theme is chosen to highlight concerns regarding food related problems worldwide and to rid the world of hunger. The theme also raises concerns about sustainability of agricultural production given the current agriculture and food supply systems.

"Think. Eat. Save" is the Theme for the 2013 World Environment Day. The celebrations on the day emphasize reducing waste when harvesting, storing and processing agricultural products. Similar emphasis is made on reducing waste when distributing and consuming foods.

"Water and Biodiversity" is the Theme for the 2013 International Day for Biodiversity. Lest we forget, biodiversity supports water and nutrient cycling in soils and therefore plants, including all foods.

There is "The Face of Climate Change" which is the Theme for the 2013 World Earth Day. A quote by Mohandas K. Gandhi summarizes the essence of the theme: "The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."

Thinking ahead, the theme chosen for the 2015 Milan Universal Exposition is "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life". The theme embraces technology, innovation, culture, traditions and creativity and how they relate to food and diet. Expo 2015 will further develop themes introduced in earlier Expos in the light of emerging issues, with a principal focus on the right to sufficient food for all the world's inhabitants.

The Expo theme is a reflection of the concerns about the quality of food in the years to come which is complicated by forecasts of increasing uncertainties regarding the quantities of food that will be available in the future.