A Critical Overview of Food Shortages in Africa

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Jun 9, 2005

Background: There is growing realisation by the richer nations that the eradication or reduction of poverty in Africa is of immense benefit not only to Africa but also to the developed world. Poverty has forced African governments to desperately seek help in ideas and technological innovations from outside rather than from within their own people. The problem with outside help is that the technology offered may not complement the local innovations and in certain cases it may be a hindrance to progress. In addition there is the element of cost and sustainability. The greatest cost however is the abandonment of the proven and tested indigenous technologies. This is evident in irrigation projects aimed at increasing yield in food production.

Faustin P. Maganga (Institute of Resource Management, University of Dar Es Salaam -1998) observed and compared the two forms of technology in irrigation systems. The imported system, which was less labour intensive, was too expensive to replace when floods destroyed it. The indigenous design irrigation system that was labour intensive was replaced and was functioning after a comparable disaster. The author realised this as the cause of the intense resistance to advanced foreign technologies that governments receive and impose on its poor people. Despite the advanced nature of the foreign technologies, they were surpassed in suitability, cost and sustainability by the indigenous technologies.

Irrigation: Abundance of affordable food is one of the best indicators in poverty reduction and irrigation has shown to increase yield and crop cycles compared to rain fed agriculture. According to F. P. Maganga (1998) the yield of maize, beans and millet increased by over 50% while rice production was possible with irrigation. In Dar es Salaam and Nairobi cities, some entrepreneurs using urban water system for irrigation on a small 'shamba' (individually owned small plot of land) are able to produce and supply quality green leafy vegetables throughout the year. Expanding this success to other food crops could be a significant step towards adequate food availability. It is possible to produce some leafy green vegetables, onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, potatoes or even fruits like strawberries in ones courtyard or balcony in urban house settings. This could be a small step towards household food security.

Appropriate actions: Foreign help aimed at eradicating poverty must complement local innovations for maximum benefit, in cost and sustainability. Indigenous technologies of rainwater harvesting, use of furrows, canals or bamboo pipes to provide and distribute water should be complemented and improved by more advanced technologies but not replaced. Small-scale irrigation schemes from indigenously driven technologies are sustainable and affordable in producing food at a price that is affordable. Solar powered pumps could be such advanced technologies that could improve indigenous technologies.