FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Reflections on food security and agribusiness

“Soaring food prices threaten violent unrest” reads a headline in The Economist of July 29th 2023. Food prices hit all-time highs throughout Africa in 2023 as countries across the continent face double- and triple- digit food inflation. In Sierra Leone, maize, edible oil, and smoked fish increased by over 100%. The food price crisis is not only damaging fragile livelihoods in Africa; it is also taking fragile lives of children under five. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) UNICEF recently reported that 16.5M children across West Africa face acute malnutrition in 2023 - which will sadly result in many lost lives of children.

While WFP focuses their attention on food aid for the hungry, its West Africa Regional Director Chris Nikoi made this bold appeal:

“There is a crucial need for massive investment in strengthening the capacities of communities and individuals to withstand shocks while prioritizing local and long-term solutions to food production, transformation and access for vulnerable groups.”

The consequences of soaring food prices are horrific; they are simultaneously an opportunity to accelerate food production. Investments in sustainable food production will both increase the supply of food, while boosting the livelihoods of households at risk of hunger. Moreover, the type of investments that will generate these life-saving impacts are clear: farm enterprises that use irrigation and greenhouses; seed companies that multiply and sell improved varieties to farmers; processing companies that add value to mangoes or other products with high rates of food loss; fisheries that freeze the daily catch of artisanal fisherfolk; and many more growing agribusinesses across the region.?

This is the work of Pangea. Join us in accelerating ?of African agribusinesses!