Jacques Fremy, a retired senior agricultural training and project advisor for the World Bank and the International Labour Organisation, argues that Africa doesn’t appreciate the technical challenges food production poses. Without massive investment in extension services and technical support, Africa is doomed to a future of food insecurity.
Food crises and rising food prices are becoming a growing concern for urban customers. Only now, with rising food prices starting to directly affect city dwellers’ health and budgets, are they cultivating a greater appreciation for the plight of the poorest of the poor and, by implication, the concept of food security and food safety. For 20 years, I’ve observed that Africa’s disregard for public agricultural education, extension and research services would have major consequences for food security, food safety and food prices, especially in the context of vast population changes and more unreliable rain patterns and sources due to global warming. A notable exception were the World Bank’s efforts in sub-Saharan Africa from 1987 to 1998.
G ood farmers, with their specialised skills and affinity for nature, are becoming an endangered species which all governments should do their best to cherish. As food prices rise, consumers will discover that farmers are their best friends, whether they be small subsistence farmers or big commercial farmers. Indeed, farmers will be badly needed in the near future, especially well qualified ones using more environmentally friendly, less risky and safer methods. Consumers and producers will have to ally to reduce the huge gaps between farmgate prices and prices paid by consumers.
Development thinkers and practitioners will have to move beyond the tired concept of willing-seller, willing-buyer. Every country in the world will have to struggle to find the rare species of willing farmers who are both highly-qualified and properly assisted by efficient agricultural services, to produce safe, affordable food products in line with sustainable practices and better management of natural resources. Without three balanced meals a day, no African woman will be a healthy mother, no child will learn well in school, no adult will have enough energy and a good enough immune system to produce more and grow well into a better future.
For a sustainable economic and social development strategy in any country on the planet, it will remain a prerequisite to concentrate on both first-class primary education and professional vocational training, as well as strong public agricultural education, extension and research services. Practical solutions to the food challenges of the future, to be implemented sooner rather than later, can be found in my paper, A Real Green Revolution is Not an Option for Africa. Contact Jacques Fremy at [email protected]. |fw
