Food Security in Africa

Introduction

Food security is a fundamental concern in today’s world, exacerbated by the various global crises we are facing. At the center of these crises lies the challenge of human security, particularly food security. While some focus on ambitious projects like colonizing Mars or developing superintelligent computers to solve complex problems, the persistent threat of food insecurity remains a systemic issue, undermining the livelihoods of many. This essay will explore food insecurity in Africa, its prospects for 2024, and propose a five-year plan to alleviate the issue.

The State of Global Food Security

Despite scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations leading to unprecedented productivity, millions worldwide continue to experience food insecurity and deprivation of basic necessities. As Professor Phillips (2018:30) reports, one in nine people faced hunger in 2018, with 795 million suffering from food insecurity. Moreover, one in three people experienced malnutrition, resulting in 25,000 daily deaths due to inadequate nutrition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this situation, widening the divide between the wealthy and the impoverished, exacerbating global economic challenges, and pushing more people into food insecurity. Ironically, the world produces enough food to feed everyone sustainably (UNISA, 2023:35). However, as Phillips (2018:31) notes, a third of all food is wasted. The real issue lies in insufficient distribution mechanisms and a lack of political will to make food available to those in need (UNISA, 2023:38).

In Africa, specifically Central African nations like Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic, poor infrastructure—such as inadequate roads—hinders the transportation of food from rural production areas to urban centers. As a result, food either fails to reach the market or arrives at inflated costs, rendering it unaffordable. Environmental conditions, such as droughts, floods, and armed conflicts, further destabilize food production, displacing populations and sterilizing agricultural land, as seen in Somalia, DRC, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Kenya.

Phillips (2018:31) also points out that “starvation is mainly the result of people not having enough money to buy food for their families.” High unemployment rates and the rising cost of living prevent many Africans from feeding their families adequately, leading to weakened resistance to disease and diminished national productivity. This, in turn, triggers mass emigration of young people in search of better opportunities, leaving the continent devoid of the human resources necessary for development.

Prospects for Africa in 2024

If current food production and distribution systems remain unchanged, food insecurity in Africa is expected to escalate in 2024. According to UNISA (2023:38), “food insecurity is mainly due to problems in the mechanisms” of distribution and access. Neoliberal policies and international financial institutions have further undermined local food production, favoring imported products that outcompete locally produced goods. African farmers, unable to sell their products at competitive prices, may be forced to migrate to urban centers in search of employment, exacerbating urban unemployment.

Government subsidies for local farmers are often insufficient due to loan conditions imposed by international financial institutions, discouraging investment in local agricultural capacity (UNISA, 2023:37). As a result, rural areas may continue to experience food shortages, while dependence on food aid from national governments, foreign donors, and NGOs increases. This reliance on aid makes African nations vulnerable to political manipulation and foreign influence, as seen in the 2023 Russian grain deal.

The rising prevalence of genetically modified (GM) crops also raises concerns for food security in Africa. Although GM crops offer a potential solution to increasing food production, they are controversial due to potential risks to human health and the environment (UNISA, 2023:41). Furthermore, the cost of organic food, preferred by those seeking healthier alternatives, remains prohibitively high for the majority of Africans. If no significant changes are made, 2024 will likely see a deepening divide between those who can afford to eat well and those who must rely on less nutritious, genetically modified options.

A Five-Year Plan to Alleviate Food Insecurity in Africa

To effectively address food insecurity in Africa, systemic changes are necessary. As UNISA (2023:37) suggests, “justice and sovereignty in food production” must be restored, with African governments taking a central role in overseeing food production and distribution. The following five-year action plan outlines concrete steps to reduce food insecurity and foster food sovereignty in Africa:

1. Mass Production Initiatives

Governments should adopt policies that promote large-scale food production, an enhanced version of “community gardens” (UNISA, 2023:40). Every institution, from churches and mosques to businesses, should participate in food production within their communities, supported by government resources such as land, water, logistics, and technical assistance. The type of food produced should be based on local soil conditions and other environmental factors.

2. Job Creation and Economic Accessibility

Food security cannot be achieved without economic access. African governments should implement policies that create employment opportunities, especially for young, unskilled individuals, ensuring they earn a wage that surpasses the poverty line and is indexed to inflation. This will empower people to afford the rising cost of living and secure access to food.

3. Protection of Local Markets

African governments should collaborate to protect their domestic markets from international free trade policies that undermine local farmers and favor multinational corporations (UNISA, 2023:37). Prioritizing intra-African trade will help build the continent’s production capacity and reduce reliance on raw material exports.

Conclusion

Food insecurity is a deeply rooted, systemic issue that demands structural changes in the way food is produced and distributed. The current trajectory offers bleak prospects for the future, making the implementation of a comprehensive action plan urgent. With the proposed five-year plan, Africa can shift from being a region plagued by hunger to one of hope and potential. By restoring sovereignty over food production and distribution, African nations can lay the foundation for a brighter, more secure future.

List of reference

Phillips, P. 2019. Giants: the global power elite. New York: Seven Stories Press.

University of South Africa. 2023. Human Security and Development: only study guide for DVA4802. Pretoria: UNISA