Democracy of The Stomach Must Push Political Will to Help Africa Feed Itself

By Akin Adesina and Wangari Maathai

Africa is rising. The 2010 Ibrahim Index of African Governance reveals good news: 40 of 53
African countries have made significant strides in terms of economic and human
development indicators. The Millennium Development Goals Report of the United Nations
shows that the agricultural growth rate has become positive, a first in almost 30 years.
Between 1990 and 2005, the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 (Sh100) a day
declined from 58 per cent to 51 per cent. The proportion of undernourished people declined
from 31 per cent in 1990 to 26 per cent by 2005/7.
Yes, our continent is scoring some major victories, but we are far from winning the war
against hunger and poverty. Africa still has 300 million people living on less than $1.25 a day
— nearly as many people as are living in the entire United States of America. The vast
majority are smallholder farmers, about 70 per cent of whom are women.
Africa’s average staple crop yield is still less than one tonne per hectare, compared to a global
average of five tonnes per hectare. For millions of farmers in Africa, accessing basic
technologies to help them raise food production is a major challenge.
Farmers should be able to feed their country’s population. In the US, farmers represent only
one per cent of the population, but they still feed the nation and generate enough surpluses to
feed other people in the world. Yet, in Africa, we see such shocking sights of farmers queuing
for food aid. The 70 per cent of our population working in agriculture cannot feed
themselves, let alone the 30 per cent that are not in the sector. Many African countries rely on
food aid and the continent spends $25 billion (Sh2 trillion) every year importing food.
No politician hoping to become president in America dares ignore the American heartland.
President Obama kicked off his historic election in Iowa, the breadbasket of America. But in
Africa, politicians count on constituents in rural areas who engage in farming for a living to
keep them in office, yet they largely ignore agriculture.
But change is coming. What matters for millions of Africans is the “democracy of the
stomach”. The food crisis and social unrest that the continent witnessed during 2007/8,
rekindled by the recent food riots in Mozambique in 2010, are tipping points. Political
pressure is building as empty stomachs rumble. A growing number of countries is responding.
For example, Mali is now spending 11 per cent of its total budget on agriculture, Burkina
Faso 15 per cent, and Ethiopia 17 per cent.
However, deeper changes are needed. Agriculture in Africa has for far too long been managed
as a development programme. Agriculture is a business and should be seen and supported as
such. With 70 per cent of our people engaged in the sector, African agriculture is a potentially
very powerful engine of growth that must be kick-started to generate greater domestic
income, savings and investment.
As the globe marks World Food Day, we need to ensure the right to food of every African.
Local solutions are working in Africa. Malawi, for example, is now self-sufficient in food
production, five years after it faced a major food crisis. It achieved this by significantly
increasing government support for its farmers. Malawi fed its 15 million people. It also
exported 400,000 tonnes of maize in 2009.
On the rolling hills of Rwanda an agricultural revolution has begun. The plan is bold and the
payoffs substantial. Government support to farmers was provided to help them afford needed
farm inputs. The result was an agricultural growth rate of 15 per cent in 2009 and national
food security. What has brought about these emerging agricultural revolutions? The answer is
simple: political will and government support. When leaders do their part, African farmers
will deliver.
An African green revolution — one based on political will and country-driven solutions —
will help Africa feed itself by raising agricultural productivity in sustainable ways.