Legumes are a climate-smart option to address Africa’s dependence on costly food imports

Published 2021년 2월 26일

Tridge summary

The article highlights the threat of hunger and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa due to the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. The region's dependence on food imports and the potential for price hikes were discussed. Crop scientists recommend the cultivation of food legumes, such as groundnuts, common beans, chickpeas, and soybeans, to boost domestic production and improve soil health. These legumes are also a good source of protein and micronutrients, which could combat malnutrition and potentially provide protection against Covid-19. However, the lack of organized seed breeding and delivery systems in Africa has limited the cultivation of these crops. Organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are investing in improving seed breeding and supply systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The strategy has led to the adoption of improved legume varieties by millions of farmers, generating economic benefits and increasing legume production.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The economics of hunger and agriculture in Africa. According to the United Nations, the Covid-19 pandemic has the potential to double (to an estimated 265 million) the number of people without access to nutritious food, heightening the risk of malnutrition, hunger and social unrest in the near future. But the deeper truth of the matter is that Covid-19 only acts as an early warning system for problems that the continent will inevitably face as a result of the looming crisis that is climate change. In reality, sub-Saharan Africa’s growing dependence on food imports leaves it uniquely exposed during periods of global uncertainty and disruption, making its overwhelmingly poor population vulnerable to food shortages and sudden price hikes. In a region with a food import bill totaling some US$ 35 billion per year, countries will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the 2007–2008 food crisis, which saw the price of staple foods rise beyond what ordinary people could afford — triggering ...

Source: Icrisat