Browsing: Food production in Africa

• The urgency to transform African food systems is not solely an agricultural or economic imperative but a moral, social, and ecological one.
• Africa is confronted with a heavy crisis of malnutrition, poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Food affordability and access are unevenly distributed, and gaps widen even further.
• Improving the performance of the food system is critical if we are to sustainably feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050 while raising farmer incomes, protecting them from climate change, and helping them to thrive.

Africa, a continent of great potential, stands at a crossroads. Africa has most of the world’s most fertile lands, immense resources, and a growing young population. However, it remains paradoxically entangled in the danger of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Challenges such as climate change, post-harvest losses, poor farming technologies, and inadequate supply chains persist. The urgency to change African food systems is not solely an agricultural or economic …

• The second Africa Food Summit held in Dakar has ended with development partners committing US$30 billion to back the continent’s resolve to boost agricultural productivity.
• The summit was a key moment in Africa’s ability to feed itself and achieve food self-sufficiency and food sovereignty.

The second Africa Food Summit held in Dakar, Senegal has ended with development partners committing US$30 billion to back the continent’s resolve to boost agricultural productivity and become a global breadbasket. The summit was organized by the Senegalese government and the African Development Bank and rallied dozens of dignitaries, including 34 heads of state and government, 70 government ministers, and development partners.

The major theme of the summit ‘Feed Africa: food sovereignty and resilience.’ Which was that African countries need to increase their food production capacity, rather than relying heavily on imports that have left them vulnerable to price spikes and shortages. The continent is facing …

Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba were honoured with the 2023 Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos for their leadership in advocating for poor small-scale farmers worldwide. The Crystal Award recognizes exceptional artists and cultural leaders whose contributions to society have made a tangible impact on improving the state of the world.

As Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) since 2020, the Elbas have been vocal supporters of greater investment in agriculture and rural development, particularly in Africa, where severe weather events and conflicts have further impacted farmers’ ability to produce food for their families, communities, and countries. Despite the vital role these farmers play in ensuring global food security, 75 percent of the world’s hungry and poorest people live in rural areas of developing countries.

The Importance of Small-Scale Farmers in Africa

Small-scale farmers play a vital role in feeding …