A challenge to progress and peace

Food security is rapidly becoming a global concern. Not only is food security a growing worry for developing countries, but developed and so-called first-world countries are also contemplating the increasing concern surrounding the long-term consequences of a deteriorating food security situation. At the same time, arable land and food is becoming the new gold.

Food insecurity can lead to social unrest, jeopardise national security, and even cause war. Africa has already tasted some of these fruits.

In 2008, food riots erupted on virtually every continent and reached its pinnacle in Africa. No fewer that 13 countries were directly effected and all experienced unrest, protests, violence, civilian deaths and forceful government retaliation.

The food riots and the consequences thereof, in a very real and vivid manner, brought home the message of what awaits the globe on a grander scale should the threats to food security not be arrested.

African response

Africa’s leaders have registered food security as a priority, but very little has been achieved since the African Union (AU) sponsored a Summit on Food Security in Africa in 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria.

In 2003, under the auspices of the AU and the New Partnership for Africa's Development, African states signed the Maputo Declaration and agreed to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture and rural development within five years i.e. by 2008. To date, very little has realised and very few states have stuck to the agreement.

On accepting the AU chairpersonship earlier this year, President Bingu Wa Mutharika of Malawi injected new energy into the issue. In his acceptance speech, he declared that the improvement of food security in Africa will be a priority during his term.

It will, however, require a concerted and committed effort by African countries individually and collectively to overcome the constraints and obstacles to food security.

The challenge to make Africa food-secure is, to put it mildly, daunting.

Constraints

By no means exhaustive, the following obstacles are indicative of the magnitude of the task:

Climate change: Much has been said and written about the challenge posed by climate change. The fact remains, rivers and lakes are drying up, ice caps are melting and glaciers are shrinking.  Evidence suggests that crop failures and diminishing harvests are directly caused by climate change and erratic weather patterns.

Conflict and war: Little, if any, normal agricultural activity is possible in areas experiencing conflict and war. In Africa, an estimated 20% of the population is affected by war and conflict. It is no surprise that in conflict-ridden southern Sudan, Somalia and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, food security is all but non-existent.

Land grabbing: Food security is recognised worldwide as a prerequisite for order and stability. It is notable how more foreign countries are looking toward fertile land in Africa as an insurance policy to prevent food shortages that they may experience in the future. Cheaper production and labour costs and inadequate environmental legislation add to the growing interest in Africa. Exploiting the greed of politicians and people in authority, and with promises of handsome compensation, millions of hectares of some of the best agricultural land in Africa have been pawned away in the last couple of years to foreign governments, multinational corporations and large investment banks. There is what many describe as the “second scramble for Africa” taking place. Some investors argue that food will outperform gold and oil on future stock markets - the conquest of what is available in terms of arable land in Africa is currently in full swing.

Protectionist agricultural policies: Some commentators and analysts claim that the developed world, with tacit support of international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, have introduced legislation, subsidies and import/export restrictions to benefit their agricultural sectors, but penalise those of others. African countries cannot compete on equal terms. Africa has become the dumping ground of highly subsidised overproduction elsewhere while being deprived of the opportunity of generating a profitable income from its agricultural activities to improve and modernise its own food production.

Archaic practices and low production levels: Lack of investment finance hampered many African countries in introducing new, modern and more cost-effective agricultural practices. Subsistence and small-scale farmers have always been part of Africa’s food production cycle, but modernisation is urgently required if Africa is to improve food security.

Rising production costs: Farming has become an expensive occupation. Input costs continue to escalate due to fuel price fluctuations and the inevitable increases in fertiliser prices. The rising cost of seeds, livestock, electricity, water, labour and transport all add up to what eventually culminates in higher food prices.

Infrastructure: Inadequate and ineffective infrastructure is contributing to the growing concern that Africa is moving toward worsening food insecurity.

HIV/Aids: The effect of the HIV/Aids pandemic, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, is devastating on labour-based economies, including agriculture. Combating the disease, which in some countries is rapidly decimating the age groups with the best potential to take agriculture on the continent forward, is essential.

Biofuels: The diversion of food crops and land toward  biofuel production holds serious consequences for food security if it is not monitored and managed properly. Already, examples are on the increase of how things can go horribly wrong.  Some previously self-sufficient communities are struggling to survive after experiments with biofuels failed while no alternatives were put in place.

South Africa and food security

In comparison with most of the rest of Africa, South Africa is in a fortunate position. The country - despite adverse climatic conditions, high levels of crime aimed at the agricultural community, and uncertainties about future agricultural policy - is still food self-sufficient and food secure.

Food security may, however, over the medium term come under increasing pressure. South Africa will be heading for troubled times should food prices continue escalating, pushing affordability beyond the means of the majority of the population.

Failure to address the highly emotive issue of land reform and land restitution with circumspection will have severe consequences. Any attempt at political point-scoring is likely to put food security under unnecessary strain.

South Africa has a responsibility to help safeguard and promote food security, not only for all the people living within its borders but also for the rest of Africa. It dare not fail.