For many people in Africa food security is of grave concern because of a number of factors such as: the limited growth in agricultural production not meeting population growth; the effects of global climate change that exacerbate both droughts and floods in parts of Africa; the increased use of arable land by foreign and local investors for food production for the export market and biofuel and national and international development policies that neglect agricultural development.
As in 2008, the price of food products sharply increased resulting in food riots in several African countries. Later, food prices eased slightly. However, with the global economic recovery, they are on the rise, making access to food more difficult yet again. The profound and serious impact of price increases on food security in Africa is caused by the vulnerability and limited ability of African economies to adapt and the socio-economic and political situation. Furthermore, Africa’s agriculture and agricultural production is being seriously impacted by climate change. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network in Mozambique some 456.000 people are currently dependent on food aid due to droughts and floods, whereas The World Food Programme is only able to provide Food for Work Programmes for some 175.000 people.
Experts are calling for a Green Revolution in Africa. An increase in the growth of agricultural production through enhanced productivity and access to land for agricultural production is urgently needed. Land reform, innovative methods of production (conservation farming), increased investment in agriculture and agricultural research in conjunction with biotechnology and changing consumption patterns to accommodate urbanisation and growth of a middle class, as well as new channels of distribution (supermarkets) are vital to fundamentally transform African agriculture in the coming years.
At its first workshop on Rural Development in Southern Africa held on 30 June 2010, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Southern Africa discussed how transformation of agricultural production can lead to increased food security. The Foundation invited experts from universities, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the business community and cooperating partners to share their ideas and formulate a plan of action. The workshop focused on the current status of small scale local farmers and how they can contribute to food security. Within the mix, the role of supermarkets requires special attention. Apart from analysing change, attention was given to finding practical ways small scale agricultural producers (family farms and cooperatives) can make sustainable contributions to food production and food security.
Also read:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/index.htm
International Federation of Agricultural Producers: http://www.ifap.org/
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research: http://www.cgiar.org/
International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements: http://www.ifoam.org/
Via Campesina International Peasant Movement : http://viacampesina.org/en/
International Food Policy Research Institute: http://www.ifpri.org/
Olivier De Schutter: Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food: http://www.srfood.org/
Global Food Production
International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) Report (Video)
