Climate change is exacerbating food insecurity in Africa

By Arvind Bhandari, Head of Greater East & Horn of Africa Cluster at Nestlé

The escalating climate crisis casts a deep shadow over Africa, ushering in a period of severe challenges, most notably when it comes to food security. According to the united nations, a staggering 237 million people on the continent grapple with hunger and malnutrition. This grim statistic is predicted to surge in the forthcoming years. This situation is nothing short of dire, necessitating immediate, concerted action.

Food security struggles across Africa arise from an amalgamation of factors, including climate change, land degradation, and rapid population growth. Climate change, in particular, stands as a colossal impediment to agricultural productivity continent-wide. Elevated temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns are wreaking havoc on farmers, who are grappling with diminished crop yields and ailing livestock. This translates to reduced harvests and inflated food prices, rendering access to sustenance an uphill battle for many.

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Risks 2023’ report, spotlighting the urgency of tackling climate-induced food security issues in Africa. The report highlights the escalating perils associated with food scarcity, with climate change exacerbating the dilemma.

The manifestations of the climate crisis on food security are palpable. in Ethiopia, recurring droughts and floods have decimated crops, leaving millions reliant on food aid. In conflict-ravaged South Sudan, disrupted agriculture has triggered shortages and malnutrition. In Somalia, cyclic droughts have fuelled widespread famine and displacement.

Though the global ramifications of climate change on food security are unmistakable, Africa bears a disproportionate brunt. The united nations discloses that global hunger soared by 118 million in 2020, due mainly to the pandemic’s fallout. However, the impact of climate change on food security is acutely concentrated in Africa, where challenges are already pronounced.

Addressing Africa’s food security crisis necessitates a unified, sustained endeavour. Encouragingly, laudable successful initiatives and partnerships to bolster sustainable agriculture and elevate food security in the region already exist.

One shining example is the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), a non-profit committed to advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Africa. The AATF has launched initiatives to amplify crop yields and champion climate-resilient farming practices. For instance, the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) initiative is engineering maize varieties capable of enduring drought and climate-induced stressors.

The road ahead for Sub-Saharan Africa’s agri-food sector is fraught with challenges that mandate resolute solutions for food security and sustainable expansion. Foremost is the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity, characterised by soaring temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and escalated extreme weather events that all culminate in depleted crop yields and skyrocketing food costs. Countering this hinges on investments in climate-savvy agriculture practices such as diversified cropping, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry.

The burgeoning population presents yet another challenge to Sub-Saharan Africa’s agri-food industry. With projections indicating a doubling of the population by 2050, demand for food and resources will surge. This necessitates escalated investments in agricultural production and accentuates the need for sustainable practices to ensure enduring food security. This requires injecting technology investments, such as precision agriculture and digital tools, to aid farmers in optimising outputs and curbing waste. Simultaneously, promoting sustainable farming practices and safeguarding natural resources, including soil and water, is paramount. The challenges confronting Sub-Saharan Africa’s agri-food industry are formidable but not insurmountable. As global population burgeons, prioritising the agri-food sector is paramount. together, we must construct a resilient, sustainable future that nourishes all.