Food Security and Safety: Africans Perspectives A Review

Abstract

The challenges of hunger in Africa, caused by food insecurity can only be mitigated by enhanced food security and food safety measures. Food safety has a significant role in ensuring food security. A primary cause of food insecurity is the decline in global food productivity. It is also a problem of poverty which has impacted adversely on the socio-economic life of its citizens. Africa is endowed with land resource that if transformed towards agricultural productivity has the capacity to ensure food security and sustainability. Agriculture, of which 85-90 per cent is rain-fed in sub-Saharan Africa, accounts for 35 percent of the region’s gross national product (GNP), 40 percent of exports and 70 percent of employment. Africa needs to leverage on agricultural innovation so as to boost its regional food output. It is essential that production and provision of safe food be given the attention it deserves by addressing the numerous challenges facing it so as to stimulate economic growth and ensure food security and safety in the African continent.

Reversing Years for Global Food Security: A Review of the Food Security Situation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

“…According to research conducted by Harvard University Professor Calestous Juma, Africa could achieve food self-sufficiency if it stopped depending on food imports [ 9 ]. Farsund, Daugbjerg, and Langhelle [ 38 ] concluded that Africa’s land resource could quickly produce an additional 100 million tons of grain-equivalent a year if it were intensively farmed.…”

“…The World Bank estimated in 2000 that 85–90% of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa relied on rainwater for survival and that agriculture accounted for 35% of the region’s GDP, 40% of exports, and 70% of its employment [ 9 ]. Agricultural output may not be sustainable with an annual rainfall of less than 700 mm.…”

“…The United Nations reported in February 2021 that more than 34 million people in SSA countries undergoing or recovering from violence needed food and other emergency humanitarian assistance [ 103 ]. Moreover, there are roughly 18 African countries that have been severely impacted by war and other forms of violence, such as community clashes, civil war, terrorism, banditry, political instability, and arm robbery, all of which have contributed to widespread poverty and food insecurity in the region [ 9 ].…”

“…Many African nations continue to struggle with undernourishment despite receiving food aid from international organizations. Due to changes in consumer habits, population growth, and global economic upheavals, the food security situation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is deteriorating [ 9 ]. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has seen a large number of economic changes.…”

“…A plethora of studies has pointed to several factors that contribute significantly to food insecurity in Africa. For instance, low economic growth [ 10 ], gender inequality [ 11 ], food price inflation, low agricultural productivity, drought [ 12 ], inadequate investment in irrigation [ 9 ], climate change [ 13 , 14 ], and rapid population growth [ 15 , 16 ]. Floods, severe rainfall, drought, cyclones, and storms are all climate-induced phenomena that negatively influence rural income and food security in low-income developing countries [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”