Africa is capable of feeding itself in one generation – this is the bold message from Harvard University Professor Calestous Juma, in his book The New Harvest, Agricultural Innovation in Africa
The book outlines strategies to making Africa self-sufficient; top of the list is calling on African leaders to make agricultural expansion central to all decision-making.
Calestous Juma, professor of international development at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, and recognised globally for his work in applying science and technology to sustainable development, sees Africa at a crossroads.
‘We have come to the end of a century of policies that favoured Africa's export of raw materials and importation of food. Africa is starting to focus on agricultural innovation as its new engine for regional trade and prosperity.’
Global food production has increased rapidly in recent decades but has stagnated in many parts of Africa, despite the continent having "abundant" arable land and labour.
Juma estimates that global food production has grown by 145 per cent over the past 40 years, yet African food production has fallen by 10 per cent since 1960; he attributes the discrepancy to low investment.
And while 70 per cent of Africans may be engaged in farming, those who are undernourished on the continent have risen by approximately 100 mn to 250 mn since 1990. These statistics are particularly troubling but go some way to revealing the strengths and weaknesses in Africa’s current approach to farming. The potential for development is high, with Africa being the only continent with arable land readily available for expansion – Southern Sudan alone is capable of feeding all Africans if properly developed, according to Professor Juma.
‘Africa has abundant arable land and labour which, with an agreed common approach and sound policies, could translate into greater production, incomes and food security.’
Some of the key steps outlined in The New Harvest include:
The use of modern technologies and investment in geographical sciences for improved natural resource management
Improved technical education, especially for women and the provision of experimental education
The creation of new enterprises especially in fields such as seed production, farm mechanisation, food storage and processing
Harmonisation of trading practices that extend regional markets
Expansion of basic infrastructure
Infrastructure development
Communications, infrastructure, science, new relationships and universities are key to the continued growth and development of Africa’s agricultural system.
‘In Africa, effective, affordable communications are transforming life — arguably to a degree greater than anywhere else on Earth. Whereas communication has traditionally involved difficult travel, more than 60 per cent of Africans now have access to mobile phones and instant messaging, through which, technical advice is more readily available on how to improve yields, weather, market prices, input costs and disease surveillance. Ordering seeds or supplies, communication with buyers, and even money exchange using airtime credit as a currency are also all far more easily accomplished thanks to mobile devices.’
Roads and transportation limitations cause farmers to reduce production, even when soil, weather and demand allow for better yields. A simple renovation of roads from farms to markets would allow farmers the opportunity to maximise their resources.
Over 40 per cent of Africa’s rural population lives in arid or semi-arid conditions yet only four per cent of the arable land is irrigated. Lakes and rivers could supply water to the many areas that have high-quality soil but too little moisture.
Africa also has vast untapped resources in renewal energy sources like solar and hydro power; particularly useful as Africa’s electricity deficit is no secret.
'Building dams and other generating infrastructure would be relatively inexpensive; the major impediment is constructing transmission grids to move the power to where it's needed,' he notes.
Professor Juma sees the key to the process as the integration of several different initiatives at the same time. All the factors are intrinsically connected – having adequate roads, good communications and standardised trading practices are no use if the crop is affected by a lack of irrigation. Likewise, a high yield due to a scientifically devised crop growth scheme, good irrigation and expansive disease surveillance is of no value if the crop cannot make the journey to market because of poor transport or roads.
Professor Juma has challenged the presidents and prime ministers to coordinate a diverse range of ministries dealing with finance, infrastructure, education, trade and industry to create a regional co-operation, one which will focus on Africa’s immense land, water and energy resources to create a continent that can feed both itself and others in the future.
Ewan Thomson