Food Shortage Imminent in Africa over Increasing Population, Says Agriculture Expert

An agriculture expert with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Alfred Dixon, has raised the alarm of imminent food shortage in Africa as its increasing population growth rate poses a huge challenge with agricultural productivity far behind.

He also said with Nigeria’s population expected to hit 400 million by the year 2050, there is need to double up on agricultural productivity figures.

Dixon, who is the Director of Development and Delivery Office of the Institute, gave the warning while presenting his contract review seminar titled: ‘Scaling up and scaling out of agricultural innovations at IITA-Duo for systemic change’.

A statement made available to journalists on Monday by the Director of Information of IITA, Mr. Godwin Atser, quoted Dixon, who is known as the ‘Father of Cassava’ by his peers, as saying:  “We are making progress but our productivity is still low. Our population growth keeps increasing. Therefore, no matter what, food and nutrition security is a gap. So there must be an agricultural transformation. We must increase productivity far more than the rate we are doing now.”

He called for multiple linkages and collaborations for the dissemination of agricultural research outcomes, stressing that the churning out of innovations to boost agricultural productivity must be supported by strategic partnerships and collaborations in order for the farmers and the targeted population to feel the impact.

The expert explained that while ‘scaling out’ entails linking with the private sector, the farmers and the markets; ‘scaling up’ involves working with the governments and policy makers.

He added that government would help create the right policy environment for the adoption of the new technologies by farmers and other stakeholders, maintaining that IITA cassava projects have been able to reach millions of farmers because of the linkages made with several stakeholders, including government agencies.

Dixon, who is the project leader of the Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP), which now operates under the African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI), gave an example of the role former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is playing in the cassava advocacy.

He also cited how ACAI is disseminating its research outcomes using strategic partnerships in addition to technologies like the Akilimo application, the six steps to cassava management videos, radio programmes, Viamo’s 321-service, Cassava Matters website and many more.

According to him, “Just having agricultural productivity or increase in agricultural production will not necessarily lead to increase in income for farmers unless it is linked to the markets.

“When you have all that you still need-the policy environment, you need the private sector-the processors, the agro-dealers and the famers. And you also need the government to give you the right policies and the powerful backing."

Dixon stressed on the need for Research for Development (R4D) and Partnerships for Development (P4D) and well as increase in working relationships, “because both contribute to sustaining agricultural transformation for scaling up and scaling out of agricultural innovations.”

He further advised that future projects must consider sustainability and exit strategies before project design and implementation activities.