UN: How to reduce food insecurity in Africa

In Africa, the issue of food insecurity remains a pressing challenge, exacerbated by low levels of investment in the agricultural sector and further complicated by the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. CNBC Africa recently spoke with Chris Hegadorn, Secretary of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), to discuss the cost of food insecurity in Africa and potential solutions to address this critical issue. The CFS, a multi-stakeholder inclusive body reformed in 2009, aims to tackle the systemic reasons behind hunger and malnutrition globally. Recognizing the global nature of the problem, the Secretary General of the UN has emphasized the need to address the escalating numbers of hungry and malnourished individuals, worsened by the impacts of the pandemic. With the upcoming CFS summit focused on achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including SDG2, the conversation around investments in agriculture takes center stage. Hegadorn acknowledges the complex nature of addressing the investment gap in agriculture but highlights the opportunities present in Africa. While approximately 65% of the African population is engaged in agriculture in some capacity, the sector continues to struggle due to a lack of systemic investment to drive meaningful change in the food production system. To bridge this gap, Hegadorn emphasizes the need for long-term commitment from national governments, regional institutions, and individual farmers. Governments must uphold commitments such as the Malabo Declaration, which allocates 10% of national budgets to agriculture, and implement investment plans and incentives to foster lasting investments that benefit farmers at all levels of the value chain. Achieving SDG2 by 2030 remains a realistic goal, contingent on significant investments in the sector. The report released in 2020 underscores the substantial financial resources required annually to meet the 2030 targets, necessitating contributions from farmers, investors, and stakeholders across the board. The implementation of responsible agriculture investment principles, land governance guidelines, and upcoming voluntary guidelines on food systems and nutrition by the CFS are poised to address key issues surrounding investments, land tenure, and food production in Africa. However, the challenge lies not just in enacting legislation but in effectively adapting and implementing these policies. Consistency, patience, and long-term planning are crucial to navigate the complexities of food security initiatives, which often clash with short-term political agendas. Hegadorn highlights the importance of institutions like the African Union, NEPAD, the African Development Bank, and regional bodies in maintaining a long-term focus on food and agriculture to drive sustainable change and combat food insecurity in Africa.