Botshabelo Monama and Louisa Jordaan
Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire, Network and Research Manager for the Food Systems Research Network or Africa (FSNet-Africa), has warned that the escalation of food insecurity demands immediate intervention and a coordinated global response.
Newly released data paints a grim picture of global food security, with nearly 9% of the world’s population suffering from undernourishment in 2023. The crisis has deepened in recent years, with approximately 735 million people now facing hunger and 2.4 billion lacking reliable access to nutritious food. In Africa, the situation is particularly dire, with over 129,000 individuals currently experiencing famine conditions, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action.
"The current food crisis requires urgent attention and collaborative intervention from all stakeholders," states Mkandawire. The network, established through a strategic partnership between the University of Pretoria, the University of Leeds, and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), is at the forefront of tackling these challenges.
Multiple factors contribute to the current food crisis, with conflict and climate change emerging as primary drivers. Climate-related weather events have particularly devastating effects on agricultural production and food distribution systems across Africa, necessitating the development of more resilient food systems.
FSNet-Africa's approach emphasises the importance of developing climate-resilient food systems while working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "We must act collectively to strengthen our food systems and make them more resilient to climate-related challenges," Mkandawire stresses. The network promotes an integrated approach to food security that encompasses not only food production but also environmental protection and ecosystem preservation. This holistic strategy recognises that sustainable food systems must balance human nutritional needs with environmental conservation.
FSNet-Africa's work highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in developing effective solutions. By bringing together academic institutions, policymakers, farmers, and agricultural experts, the network facilitates knowledge exchange and innovative approaches to food security challenges. "Our partnership with leading institutions enables us to combine research expertise with practical implementation strategies," notes Mkandawire. Through these efforts, FSNet-Africa focuses on developing climate-resilient agricultural practices, enhancing research and innovation in food production, improving policy frameworks, promoting sustainable farming methods, and protecting vital ecosystems and biodiversity.
The partnership between the University of Pretoria, the University of Leeds, and FANRPAN demonstrates the power of intra-African and international collaboration in addressing global food security challenges. "Together, we can create sustainable solutions that not only address immediate food security needs but also ensure long term environmental sustainability," Mkandawire concludes. Through these combined efforts, FSNet-Africa continues to work towards its goal of creating sustainable, resilient food systems that can effectively combat hunger while preserving Africa's natural resources for future generations.
The majority of us are used to westernised crops such as corn and potatoes, but we need to open our eyes to a whole new range of culinary possibility based on indigenous edible plant species. Sustainable alternatives to these western crops are known as indigenous crops. These crops are exponentially more resilient to the harsh African climate and significantly richer in nutrients. The main obstacle to the indigenous crops entering the agricultural market is simply blissful ignorance. Thus, it would arguably be much more beneficial if the majority of South Africa’s population were educated in the benefits of indigenous crops.
What makes these crops even more attractive is the fact that they are significantly more affordable and readily available. This begs the question – why are we not investing more time, energy, and land in these crops? The answer to this question can be found in this powerful documentary, that FSNet-Africa has produced, which highlights the critical role of indigenous crops in addressing food security challenges especially in Africa. These resilient, nutrient-rich crops offer a sustainable solution to the devastating impacts of climate change and food scarcity, and FSNet-Africa’s research is pioneering new ways to strengthen food systems. With nearly 9% of the world’s population facing undernourishment and millions struggling with hunger, FSNet-Africa is at the forefront of finding solutions.
Pretoria News