Advancing Food Security in Africa Through Agricultural Innovations

Food security is still a major cause of concern for many African countries, and the majority of its people are on the brink of starvation. This was evidenced by the estimates from the UN’s State of Food Security and Nutrition around the World (SOFI), which showed that Africa’s food systems vulnerability resulted in about 21 percent of people suffering from hunger.

The stats represent roughly 282 million people in Africa, a clear indication that a higher share of its population is suffering. The case was worsened by the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw 46 million people in Africa become hungry.

Nothing has changed much in 2022. More than 14 million people across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are already on the verge of starvation—about half of them children. According to the International Rescue Committee’s March 2022 report, this number will rise to 20 million by mid-2022 if the rains continue to fail, prices continue to increase, and world leaders don’t boost aid funding to meet the needs of people in crisis.

But that is only part of a short-term solution. Improving food security in Africa involves many moving parts, but it all starts by strengthening the agricultural sector. Africa needs large-scale dissemination of productivity-increasing technology and inputs, plus input and capital intensity, to drive long-term sustainable agribusiness growth.

Such innovations are highly essential considering agriculture is a significant source of livelihood and income for many African households. The continent has up to 33 million smallholder farmers who depend on agriculture for their survival.

However, a majority of them are yet to realize their full potential. The untapped agricultural potential, poor food systems, and harsh climatic conditions have subjected the continent to persistent poverty and deteriorating food security.

In the strive to navigate these challenges, Africa’s food systems need new investment vehicles that encompass innovation and digital and technology-driven solutions. Investing in innovations and technology and making them easily accessible to farmers is Africa’s best opportunity to deal with low farm productivity and enhance its food security. This can be done alongside good agricultural practices.

Research and Development

Such innovations, nonetheless, require investment in research – which Africa needs to focus more on. Most leaders and policymakers do not fathom the importance of research in increasing productivity in agriculture.

Although research and development investments require long gestation periods, over time, it yields higher profits for farmers, abundant food supply, increased opportunities, and a higher quality of life in rural households.

Sadly, investments in public research in agriculture, especially in Africa, are not keeping up with the need. There is, therefore, a need for significant increases in research and development investment and partnerships. Otherwise, food and agriculture systems will fall short of a vision for a healthier, more sustainable world.

Luckily, organizations such as AGRA – Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa have invested heavily in training the scientists needed to transform Africa’s seed production industry. Better yet, AGRA, in 2021, went a step further to launch the first Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) to “champion the development of the quality seed of improved varieties on the continent.”

CESSA will convene seed actors to help fill gaps and build the capacities of scientists, developing varieties that respond to the needs of farmers in Sub Saharan Africa.

In Ethiopia, for instance, heat tolerant seeds which have been planted in lowland areas have enabled the country to increase its coverage to 60,000ha.

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