Agricultural Development and Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa W. Kidane Policy Assistance Division, FAO Brussels, 2-5 May 2006

Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa

Number of Food Emergency Cases in Africa

THE PROBLEM 186 million Africans are going hungry today and projected to worsen over the next two decades 186 million Africans are going hungry today and projected to worsen over the next two decades Nearly half live on less than $1 a day - lower than three decades ago Nearly half live on less than $1 a day - lower than three decades ago Poor performance of agriculture lies at the heart of the problem Poor performance of agriculture lies at the heart of the problem

THE PROBLEM Very disappointing performance in recent decades : Very disappointing performance in recent decades : –About 13 percent of the world population - produces only 7 percent of total maize output, 6 percent of wheat and 3 percent of rice. –Increased reliance on food aid and commercial imports; Africa receives a third of worlds total food aid cereals

Share in World Agricultural Export

Absence of Conducive policy environment and Institutional framework Public sector support in SSA for agricultural development inadequate Public sector support in SSA for agricultural development inadequate –weak institutional capacities and political commitments; –Macroeconomic environment often unstable – Legislative framework is either weak or missing –Agriculture related institutions generally ill-equipped to formulate, and implement, policies/strategies; –Farmers Organizations involvement in policy not visible; inexistent, limited capacity, politically restricted.

Political Instability and Conflicts Correlation between political stability and poor economic performance evident: Eritrea, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo worst performers; Correlation between political stability and poor economic performance evident: Eritrea, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo worst performers; –Budget diversion –Diversion of human capital including labour, –high investment risk, –Agriculture looses more

Irrigation Africa Vs Other Regions of the World

Soil Fertility Mgmt. low input and low output technology Avg cereal yield 1.3 and 1.4 tons/hectare low input and low output technology Avg cereal yield 1.3 and 1.4 tons/hectare Fertilizer application lowest and declining 35 Kg/ha in 1980s, 26 kg in 1990s Fertilizer application lowest and declining 35 Kg/ha in 1980s, 26 kg in 1990s

Yield Comparison

Financing Agriculture Budgetary allocation is low and declining over the years: ca 5% 1990/91 to 3.5% in 2001/02 Budgetary allocation is low and declining over the years: ca 5% 1990/91 to 3.5% in 2001/02 Decreasing ODA flow Decreasing ODA flow –Total US$ 3.94 bln to US$ to 2002 (- 29 percent ) –Per capita $32 in 1990 to US$19 in 1998 –agriculture often loses in budgetary support

Lessons from outside SSA Technical and development assistance only effective if: Technical and development assistance only effective if: –Peace and stability –Accountability and transparency (Governance) –Political commitment supported by political action –Sense of I can do it at institutional and individual citizen level Diversification starting with crops and expanding into manufacturing and the service sectors Diversification starting with crops and expanding into manufacturing and the service sectors Adequate public support market development, research and extension services, credit, etc. and budgetary allocation Adequate public support market development, research and extension services, credit, etc. and budgetary allocation Macroeconomic and price stability Macroeconomic and price stability

NEPAD – Agr Programme African Initiative to Revitalize Agriculture and food Security African Initiative to Revitalize Agriculture and food Security Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) prepared by FAO and approved by African Heads of State and Government in Maputo in July 2003 Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) prepared by FAO and approved by African Heads of State and Government in Maputo in July 2003 Total Budget of around US$250 Billion Total Budget of around US$250 Billion Progress so far limited Progress so far limited

Role of Farmers Organizations in NEPAD and Policy Dialogue Needs for active engagement in policy dialogue to ensure implementation of NEPAD and increase of budget to 10% for agriculture Needs for active engagement in policy dialogue to ensure implementation of NEPAD and increase of budget to 10% for agriculture Provisions exist for more support to smallholder farmers under WTO Agreement on Agriculture Provisions exist for more support to smallholder farmers under WTO Agreement on Agriculture Farmers Organization can play an important role in both the above. Farmers Organization can play an important role in both the above.

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