As the world grapples with the aftermath of the Ukraine war, Africa's food security crisis has reached a boiling point. The war has disrupted global food supply chains, leaving many African countries struggling to fill the deficit. In Kenya, for instance, approximately 60% of the land is arid and semi-arid, making it challenging to achieve food sufficiency.
According to recent statistics, half of Kenya's counties were listed as food insecure just two months ago. This is a stark reminder of the need for governments across Africa to increase budgetary allocation to ramp up efforts to sustainably achieve food sufficiency.
Dr. Martin Kimani, Kenya's ambassador to the UN Security Council, recently condemned the Russian invasion, but some pro-Kremlin social media users responded with a dismissive message: 'Go end hunger in your country first.' This response highlights the need for Kenya to address its own agricultural failings before seeking solutions elsewhere.
Homegrown Solutions ¶
Africa is endowed with arable land, fairly predictable weather patterns, and a young, active population. By harnessing these resources, governments can implement policies that promote food security. Any government worth its salt should feed its populace – all that is needed are the right policies that are properly implemented.
Addressing the Challenges ¶
There are several bottlenecks hindering food security in Kenya. Land fragmentation is a major issue, with many small landholdings making it difficult to implement modern farming techniques. Mechanisation and modern farming techniques are also hindered in squeezed settings.
Development of highly productive novel seed varieties is also crucial. Current maize seed varieties have been in universal usage for decades, which is unacceptable for a progressive society. Kenya should also taper off dependency on one staple (maize) by boosting production and promoting consumption of other more drought-resistant food crops.
Setting up a self-sustaining fertiliser plant that would produce nutrients specifically suited for our local soil needs would improve production. Currently, fertiliser usage is at its lowest, with the attendant risk of a steep decline in agricultural output.
Then there is need to cut reliance on the age-long practice of rain-fed agriculture by adoption of modern irrigation methods as the case is in Israel.
Policy makers and technocrats need to urgently re-examine the dire situation complicated by climate change. In Kenya and other African countries, our self-esteem will continue taking a beating as we constantly carry the begging bowl. This must stop.
