Dr Gregory Afra Komlaga, the Principal Research Scientist at the Centre for Scientific Research (CSIR) Food Research Institute, has raised concerns about the global hunger crisis, where 783 million of the world’s 8.2 billion people are chronically hungry.
The statistics, as cited by the United Nations (UN) indicated the figure formed roughly 10 per cent of the global population.
Dr Komlaga presented the statistics during the Women in Agribusiness Week Conference, organised by Guzakuza, an advocacy organisation for women in agribusiness on the theme; “Connecting Women, Connecting African Food Systems”.
Dr Komlaga, the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa was even more severe, with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reporting in 2022 that 22.5 per cent of the region’s population suffered from chronic hunger.
“Food security remains a global challenge and is especially pressing for Africa,” he said, emphasising that hunger and malnutrition undermine the welfare of millions on the continent.
Dr Komlaga pointed to a 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) report that found Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for nearly one-third of the world’s undernourished children, with malnutrition being a major health issue, especially for children under five and the elderly.
He explained that it was because of food insecurity, driven by low food production levels, high post-harvest losses, and inadequate food distribution systems.
The FAO had indicated that about 30 per cent of food harvested globally was either lost or wasted annually, Dr Komlaga said.
“In Sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder farmers are especially affected, losing up to half or more of their produce before it reaches consumers. Such losses impact not only food availability but also food prices, exacerbating the cycle of poverty and hunger,” he said.
Dr Komlaga emphasised that employing advanced food production, post-harvest technologies, and efficient processing methods could play a transformative role in addressing hunger.
“By improving food production processes and reducing post-harvest losses, we can ensure a more stable food supply and help moderate food prices, which is critical for achieving food security,” he stated.
The conference’s theme resonated with these goals, highlighting women’s critical role in promoting innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in African food systems.
Dr Komlaga applauded Guzakuza’s work in empowering women agri-businesses across Africa and the diaspora with essential tools and resources to establish and grow their businesses.
Dr Komlaga encouraged women engaged in agribusiness to prioritise responsibility and accountability, especially in food production and processing.
“As we push for women’s empowerment in agribusiness, it’s essential that they uphold standards that ensure safe, high-quality food for consumers,” he advised.
He underscored that women in agribusiness were not just stakeholders but also custodians of food quality and safety.
Nana Adjoa Sifa, the initiator and lead at Guzakuza, emphasised the importance of challenging policies and practices that hindered women’s progress in agribusiness.
She noted that Guzakuza was committed to confronting issues that threatened food security, reimagining a food system where African women led and thrived.
“Through meaningful collaboration, we can tackle these pressing issues. Together, we can create an African food system that is equitable, resilient, and self-sustainable”.
Nana Sifa highlighted Guzakuza’s ongoing efforts to equip women with the knowledge and resources they needed to drive transformative change in food systems across Africa.
As hunger remains a global challenge, the conference emphasised the critical role that African women and agribusiness could play in creating sustainable food solutions for future generations.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering resilience and innovation within African food systems, led by women.
GNA
