Corruption, water scarcity, and outdated farming are undermining food security in Africa

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Africa is grappling with a severe food insecurity crisis, with overย 282 millionย people undernourished and more than a billion unable to afford a healthy diet.

Experts believe as much asย 10 million tonnesย of food is lost or wasted each year, accounting for about 30-34% of the total food produced annually, due inadequate infrastructure, poor farming practices, lack of knowledge about proper handling techniques, and inefficiencies in the supply chain.

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Corruption remains a significant obstacle, syphoning off resources that could be used to improve food systems and support agricultural projects. The mismanagement of funds limits farmersโ€™ access to essential inputs and services, directly impacting food production and distribution. Additionally, water scarcity and unreliable irrigation systems hinder agricultural progress. In many regions, farms are left reliant on inconsistent rainfall, with droughts exacerbating the situation.

Addressing Africaโ€™s food crisis requires more than just financial investment, although this is a substantial factor.

It demands that investors, policymakers and agricultural stakeholders also tackle systemic issues, like corruption, water scarcity, and sustainable farming practices to transform Africaโ€™s food systems โ€“ if we want to stand a chance of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030.

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