Millions of people in Africa are vulnerable to food insecurity, even in good years. Many households are unable to meet their basic food needs, and their vulnerability is increased by volatile food prices especially of staples such as maize. Vulnerability, poverty and food insecurity, although they may be used interchangeably in the short-run, they are different concepts in the long run. Poverty and food insecurity usually describe livelihood status at a particular point in time, whereas vulnerability is forward looking. Over the long-term, people move in and out of food insecurity and poverty. Vulnerability therefore refers to the probability of slipping into food insecurity or remaining food insecure. It refers to the inability to cope with uncertain shocks, stresses and threats such as prolonged droughts, floods, pest and disease outbreaks, market failure, and civil strife, all of which are prevalent in many parts of Africa. Because vulnerability is closely linked to uncertainties, everyone is vulnerable; however some more than others. The challenge therefore is to identify the vulnerable, build and sustain their resilience, and reduce the risks of falling back into poverty and food insecurity for those who have moved out.
Vulnerability is determined by a cumulative chain of events through time. What happened in the past is reflected in the present status, and what happens in the present influences the future status (LĂvendal and Knowles, 2007). This makes measurement of vulnerability to food security difficult. However, understanding the present conditions is vital in determining the threats to food security and how they can be effectively managed. Vulnerability, though difficult to measure, is closely related to the food security status, asset portfolio, livelihood activities, and the context surrounding the people. A common thread running through all these in relation to vulnerability is the need for steady inflow of money to build or maintain a sustainable level of resilience. In the past, vulnerability to food insecurity was largely translated to the need for emergency food aid. However, food is not the only answer. Essentially vulnerability occurs when people lack income and access to resources. The vulnerable must be with income and other means to prevent asset depletion, establish sustainable livelihoods, and access infrastructure, thereby building resilience to uncertain shocks and stresses.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Intensive and Extensive farming and the Environment
Agricultural systems can either be intensive i.e. where agricultural yield is increased on a limited or on the same acerage of land by increased use of inputs such as fertilizers, irrigation, or can be extensive, where agricultural production is increased by bringing more land under cultivation and relying on natural soil nutrients. Both these agricultural systems increase agricultural production to meet the demand for food and reduce hunger and poverty. However, if not properly managed, both have detrimental effects on the environment.
A notable example of intensive agriculture is the green revolution in Asia, which doubled cereal production between 1970 and 1995, with only a 4 percent increase in cultivated land. By slowing the rate at which land is reclaimed for agricultural purposes, intensive agriculture conserves wetlands, forests and biodiversity. Extensive agriculture on the other hand, which is the most common agricultural system in Africa, leads to the degradation and loss of forests, wetlands, soils, through nutrient depletion and soil erosion.
Despite the benefits of intensive agriculture, intensification causes several environmental problems not only on the farm but also in the surrounding areas. Inappropriate use of agrochemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc pollute water sources, interfere with soil chemistry, disrupt ecological systems, kill important soil flora and fauna, and poison people.
The environmental effects of intensive and extensive agriculture vary between regions. Overcoming these problems in order to make agriculture more environmentally sustainable may be achieved through measures such as information and sensitization of farmers through extension officers, improving land tenure systems and through policies that reduce poverty (because poverty is a likely driver of environmental degradation).
A notable example of intensive agriculture is the green revolution in Asia, which doubled cereal production between 1970 and 1995, with only a 4 percent increase in cultivated land. By slowing the rate at which land is reclaimed for agricultural purposes, intensive agriculture conserves wetlands, forests and biodiversity. Extensive agriculture on the other hand, which is the most common agricultural system in Africa, leads to the degradation and loss of forests, wetlands, soils, through nutrient depletion and soil erosion.
Despite the benefits of intensive agriculture, intensification causes several environmental problems not only on the farm but also in the surrounding areas. Inappropriate use of agrochemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc pollute water sources, interfere with soil chemistry, disrupt ecological systems, kill important soil flora and fauna, and poison people.
The environmental effects of intensive and extensive agriculture vary between regions. Overcoming these problems in order to make agriculture more environmentally sustainable may be achieved through measures such as information and sensitization of farmers through extension officers, improving land tenure systems and through policies that reduce poverty (because poverty is a likely driver of environmental degradation).
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Voices of wisdom from Africa
African proverbs are full of wisdom and guidence for daily living. Here are a few collected by Steward Julia in the book "Words to the wise: A collection of African proverbs."
- A horse owns only the grass in its stomach. Setswana, South Africa
- Flowing water makes stagnant water move. Somalia
- A man's deeds are of greater importance than the facts of his birth. Maasai, Kenya
- A man wo takes advice is still a man who acts on his own free will. Nigeria
- A louse bites after hiding in your blanket. Setswana, South Africa
- When an ape cannot reach a banana with its hand, he says it is sour. Bambara, Mali
- When one person on the street kills a dog, the whole street is called "the street of dog killers". Nigeria
- A good thing sells itself; a bad thing advertises itself for sale. Swahili, East Africa.
- Caution is not cowadice; even the ants march armed. Baganda, Uganda
- Live with him who prays, and thou prayest; live with the singer, and thou singest. Egypt
- The eye crosses the river before the body. Ndebele, Zimbabwe
- A louse bites after hiding in your blanket. Setswana, South Africa
- Quarrels end, but words once spoken never die. Sierra Leone
- No elephant is ever burdened by its own trunk. Xhosa, South Africa
- However long the night might be, there will be a morning. Morocco
- The reward of life is death. Anyuak. Sudan
- Copying everyone else all the time, the monkey one day slit his throat. Zulu, South Africa
- If you see someone riding a log, compliment him on his beautiful horse. Tunisia
- The goat is not big in cowtown. Vai, Nigeria
- One who enters the forest does not turn back on hearing twigs breaking. Bemba, Zambia
- The family is like a forest; if you are outside, it looks dense. If you are inside, you see that each tree has its own position. Akan, Ghana
- You cannot turn the wind, so turn the sail. Swahili, East Africa
- A sinking vessel needs no naviagtion. Swahili, East Africa
- My country is my country even though it is unjust to me. Morocco
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rebel Joseph Kony of Uganda is breaking his rules
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group in Uganda under its notorious leader Joseph Kony, has for over 20 years haunted the Northern parts of Uganda, some parts of Southern Sudan, and more recently North Eastern DRC. These rebels have ruthlessly abducted hundreds of children as soldiers and sex slaves, brutally killed thousands of people, displaced hundreds of thousands, and many more scarred for life by rape, maiming, and loss of kin.
All of these inhumane acts have been done in the pretext of restoring the Ten Commandments. This purpose is absurdly insane and meaningless simply because Kony is contradicting himself. He is breaking the very same commandments that he wishes to restore. For example: the third commandment says, “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord.” The rebellion uses the Lord’s name in vain. No Lord (God) would be pleased with such atrocious acts “in his name” against humanity. The sixth commandment which says, “You shall not kill”, speaks for itself. The fifth commandment says, “Honour your father and mother...” In the African tradition, parents go beyond biological fathers and mother and include uncles, aunts and any elderly person in the community. Kony has killed them.
Given Kony’s contradictions in breaking the Ten Commandments, he has no grounds on which to base his rebellion. Either he is insane or he has an incentive to keep the war going. This raises many questions: it has been over 20 years, why hasn’t the rebellion been crushed? Are the governments of the affected countries not doing enough? Is the rebellion externally supported and resourced? Is there more to this rebellion than is being revealed?
This rebellion nonsense in Africa must stop. How many people must die? How much infrastructure must be destroyed? How much damage must be done before Africa (and the rest of the world) rises to heed the cries of the dead and suffering? Many people’s livelihoods have been reduced to the confines of refugee camps. Others have had to flee to the forests and live like wild animals. Children have been orphaned and forced to the streets. Development in the affected regions is stagnated. There is disruption in the implementation of policies and programs to improve health, food security, education, agriculture, small business growth and general poverty eradication. This is no wonder that Africa remains largely underdeveloped and impoverished.
Is there hope for Africa? Yes there is hope!
For more insight into the Joseph Kony and the Rebellion in Uganda, visit www.petereichstaedt.blogspot.com
All of these inhumane acts have been done in the pretext of restoring the Ten Commandments. This purpose is absurdly insane and meaningless simply because Kony is contradicting himself. He is breaking the very same commandments that he wishes to restore. For example: the third commandment says, “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord.” The rebellion uses the Lord’s name in vain. No Lord (God) would be pleased with such atrocious acts “in his name” against humanity. The sixth commandment which says, “You shall not kill”, speaks for itself. The fifth commandment says, “Honour your father and mother...” In the African tradition, parents go beyond biological fathers and mother and include uncles, aunts and any elderly person in the community. Kony has killed them.
Given Kony’s contradictions in breaking the Ten Commandments, he has no grounds on which to base his rebellion. Either he is insane or he has an incentive to keep the war going. This raises many questions: it has been over 20 years, why hasn’t the rebellion been crushed? Are the governments of the affected countries not doing enough? Is the rebellion externally supported and resourced? Is there more to this rebellion than is being revealed?
This rebellion nonsense in Africa must stop. How many people must die? How much infrastructure must be destroyed? How much damage must be done before Africa (and the rest of the world) rises to heed the cries of the dead and suffering? Many people’s livelihoods have been reduced to the confines of refugee camps. Others have had to flee to the forests and live like wild animals. Children have been orphaned and forced to the streets. Development in the affected regions is stagnated. There is disruption in the implementation of policies and programs to improve health, food security, education, agriculture, small business growth and general poverty eradication. This is no wonder that Africa remains largely underdeveloped and impoverished.
Is there hope for Africa? Yes there is hope!
For more insight into the Joseph Kony and the Rebellion in Uganda, visit www.petereichstaedt.blogspot.com
Saturday, January 17, 2009
African cultural practices may further food insecurity
Food security is all about the stable availability, accesses and utilization of food to support a healthy and active lifestyle. Absense of any of the above pillars implies food insecurity or vulnerability to food insecurity. The measures of food insecurity among others are malnutrition, stunting, wasting, low birth weight, morbidity, mortality rate and coping strategies employed.
Among the many causes of food and nutrition insecurity such as low agricultural production, low purchasing power, political instability, disease, drought, e.t.c, is cultural practices. Some cultural practices prevent children and women (including pregnant and lactating women) from accessing a balanced and nutritious diet, which results in malnutrition, starvation, stunting, wasting, illness and death.
For example, in the past, many African cultures forbade women from eating foods such as eggs, milk, fish, chicken, all of which are rich in protein. In some cultures today, only men are allowed to eat the gizzard of a chicken because it is believed to make men potent and women infertile.
Some cultures forbid pregnant and lactating women from eating furits and vegetables claiming that they are harmful to infants.
In some parts of Africa, women and children only eat after the men have had thier fill. This leaves an inadequate food in both quantity and quality for the women and children.
The result of these and many more cultural practices is malnutrition, stunting, wasting, morbidity and mortality in children. This not only affects them as children but also affects their physical and mental capacity as adults. Women will have problems during pregnancy and birth.
In keeping up with the Jonses, some households in Africa avoid eating widely growing and readily available, highly nutritious vegetables as they are considered inferior foods. Those households miss out on balanced diets (consequently malnutrition) and spend their already meagre income on purchasing food in markets.
Africa has an abundant supply of food and is bursting with naturally growing nutrient rich fruits and vegetables. Why spend money on food and yet we can freely harvest it from our backyards! Let us put aside our pride and ignorance and take advantage of nature's free gifts. Let us let go of those cultural practices that hold us back, rather than benefit us.
Among the many causes of food and nutrition insecurity such as low agricultural production, low purchasing power, political instability, disease, drought, e.t.c, is cultural practices. Some cultural practices prevent children and women (including pregnant and lactating women) from accessing a balanced and nutritious diet, which results in malnutrition, starvation, stunting, wasting, illness and death.
For example, in the past, many African cultures forbade women from eating foods such as eggs, milk, fish, chicken, all of which are rich in protein. In some cultures today, only men are allowed to eat the gizzard of a chicken because it is believed to make men potent and women infertile.
Some cultures forbid pregnant and lactating women from eating furits and vegetables claiming that they are harmful to infants.
In some parts of Africa, women and children only eat after the men have had thier fill. This leaves an inadequate food in both quantity and quality for the women and children.
The result of these and many more cultural practices is malnutrition, stunting, wasting, morbidity and mortality in children. This not only affects them as children but also affects their physical and mental capacity as adults. Women will have problems during pregnancy and birth.
In keeping up with the Jonses, some households in Africa avoid eating widely growing and readily available, highly nutritious vegetables as they are considered inferior foods. Those households miss out on balanced diets (consequently malnutrition) and spend their already meagre income on purchasing food in markets.
Africa has an abundant supply of food and is bursting with naturally growing nutrient rich fruits and vegetables. Why spend money on food and yet we can freely harvest it from our backyards! Let us put aside our pride and ignorance and take advantage of nature's free gifts. Let us let go of those cultural practices that hold us back, rather than benefit us.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Poor infrastructure stifles agriculture development
Agriculture palys a major role in the economic growth of many African countries. However, poor infrastructure is a major contributory factor to the slow pace of Africa’s agriculture development. Many rural farmers struggle to get their produce onto the market, while at the same time, urban dwellers have to pay a high price for food due to high transport costs resulting from poor road networks.
In between the farm and the market, a large amount of food is wasted because of lack of storage or preservation facilities. Many African countries do not have the capacity to maintain a constant supply of food between harvests. During the harvest season, farmers incur losses because the large supply of food drives the food prices so low that farmers’ production costs are barely met. Additionally, farmers cannot withhold the sale of food for the future when the supply of food is lower than the demand hence fetch a higher price.
With better infrastructure and market information, food can be transferred from the food surplus regions to food deficit areas, while at the same time promote inter and intra-regional trade within the continent. Also, inputs (such as fertilizers and farm equipment) and technology necessary for increased production and yield can reach the farmers.
Governments must increase their investment in infrastructure as an important step in promoting the development of agriculture and consequently promoting economic growth in Africa.
In between the farm and the market, a large amount of food is wasted because of lack of storage or preservation facilities. Many African countries do not have the capacity to maintain a constant supply of food between harvests. During the harvest season, farmers incur losses because the large supply of food drives the food prices so low that farmers’ production costs are barely met. Additionally, farmers cannot withhold the sale of food for the future when the supply of food is lower than the demand hence fetch a higher price.
With better infrastructure and market information, food can be transferred from the food surplus regions to food deficit areas, while at the same time promote inter and intra-regional trade within the continent. Also, inputs (such as fertilizers and farm equipment) and technology necessary for increased production and yield can reach the farmers.
Governments must increase their investment in infrastructure as an important step in promoting the development of agriculture and consequently promoting economic growth in Africa.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Africa: Independence or In-dependence?
“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime”. For a long time, these words have been echoed and promoted by countless leaders and NGOs throughout Africa. Despite this, the continent is more in debt and more dependent on external aid than ever before, and words like "poverty", "disease" and "food insecurity" are more often than not associated with Africa. Why then does it seem like Africa has not “learnt to fish”?
For a relatively long time now African countries have been involved in all the manner of schemes, initiatives and programmes aimed at wresting the continent from its unending cycle of poverty and scarcity. These projects, which are development oriented, are geared at empowering Africans to be more self-reliant. The policies appear well meaning on paper and perfect on the drawing board but all too often fall short of the desired results. Yes pockets of improvement can be seen littered across the continent but there is no denying the fact that generally speaking the rich are getting richer and hardly anything has changed for the poor.
The shortcomings seem to lie in the lack of skills to determine when it is necessary to “give a man a fish” and when it is imperative to “teach him to fish”. In times of crisis such as during droughts or floods, when the poor people are in dire distress and require emergency food intervention then it is appropriate that they are given the fish. However, such interventions are short-term and should be proceeded by medium and long-term interventions that will give the affected people resilience in case of future shocks and stresses. Many Africans have been so used to getting handouts from the government such that whenever there is a crisis, they wait for the government’s intervention. Resources which are spent on “giving people fish” could be freed up for more sustainable development projects.
The governments too have got this dependency syndrome, but in a greater scale. For some governments, a substantial portion of their national budgets is financed by donor funds. This situation is neither acceptable nor sustainable, considering the high rates of corruption. Africa should not behave like the sea gull that follows the trawler hoping the fish will be thrown into the sea. It is high time Africa learns how to fish for herself.
In many ways, the African leaders are teaching their people how to fish. There have been successful projects that have made a difference in the lives of many poor people. However, there are many cases whereby people have been taught to fish for the big fishes in the big ocean without being taught how to catch the little fish in rivers and dams that they are familiar with. Many projects have been inappropriate to the livelihoods of the people they are targeting. For example, some leaders have been talking about the modernisation of agriculture through tractors yet the majority of the farmers they are targeting do not have hand-held hoes and/or own less than a hectare of land. The governments often assume that what is successful in one country or region will automatically be a runaway success in another hence providing the right answers to the wrong question.
Who or what is to blame for Africa’s backwardness? I believe that a significant part of the explanation lies with Africans’ chronic lack of self-confidence. We are not confident in Africa as a continent. We are not confident in ourselves, our people, and our countries. We have all the resources and tools necessary for economic growth but we seem to lack the confidence that they will work. Even if development friendly policies are developed, they are not enforced because they lack the support from the general public, who expect to be spoon-fed. Furthermore we cannot keep blaming colonialism or apartheid because they are long gone. Although the current generation of Africans has been raised in independent countries, we unfortunately still behave like we are not independent. The finger remains firmly pointed at us, the people of Africa and it is about time we pulled the veil of dependence from over our eyes. Let us learn how to fish sustainably, and if we cannot fish then maybe we can try something that works for us.
Link IOLS-Reserach
For a relatively long time now African countries have been involved in all the manner of schemes, initiatives and programmes aimed at wresting the continent from its unending cycle of poverty and scarcity. These projects, which are development oriented, are geared at empowering Africans to be more self-reliant. The policies appear well meaning on paper and perfect on the drawing board but all too often fall short of the desired results. Yes pockets of improvement can be seen littered across the continent but there is no denying the fact that generally speaking the rich are getting richer and hardly anything has changed for the poor.
The shortcomings seem to lie in the lack of skills to determine when it is necessary to “give a man a fish” and when it is imperative to “teach him to fish”. In times of crisis such as during droughts or floods, when the poor people are in dire distress and require emergency food intervention then it is appropriate that they are given the fish. However, such interventions are short-term and should be proceeded by medium and long-term interventions that will give the affected people resilience in case of future shocks and stresses. Many Africans have been so used to getting handouts from the government such that whenever there is a crisis, they wait for the government’s intervention. Resources which are spent on “giving people fish” could be freed up for more sustainable development projects.
The governments too have got this dependency syndrome, but in a greater scale. For some governments, a substantial portion of their national budgets is financed by donor funds. This situation is neither acceptable nor sustainable, considering the high rates of corruption. Africa should not behave like the sea gull that follows the trawler hoping the fish will be thrown into the sea. It is high time Africa learns how to fish for herself.
In many ways, the African leaders are teaching their people how to fish. There have been successful projects that have made a difference in the lives of many poor people. However, there are many cases whereby people have been taught to fish for the big fishes in the big ocean without being taught how to catch the little fish in rivers and dams that they are familiar with. Many projects have been inappropriate to the livelihoods of the people they are targeting. For example, some leaders have been talking about the modernisation of agriculture through tractors yet the majority of the farmers they are targeting do not have hand-held hoes and/or own less than a hectare of land. The governments often assume that what is successful in one country or region will automatically be a runaway success in another hence providing the right answers to the wrong question.
Who or what is to blame for Africa’s backwardness? I believe that a significant part of the explanation lies with Africans’ chronic lack of self-confidence. We are not confident in Africa as a continent. We are not confident in ourselves, our people, and our countries. We have all the resources and tools necessary for economic growth but we seem to lack the confidence that they will work. Even if development friendly policies are developed, they are not enforced because they lack the support from the general public, who expect to be spoon-fed. Furthermore we cannot keep blaming colonialism or apartheid because they are long gone. Although the current generation of Africans has been raised in independent countries, we unfortunately still behave like we are not independent. The finger remains firmly pointed at us, the people of Africa and it is about time we pulled the veil of dependence from over our eyes. Let us learn how to fish sustainably, and if we cannot fish then maybe we can try something that works for us.
Link IOLS-Reserach
Monday, January 12, 2009
The African Wind
Wind is an acronym for WAYS of INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT. The winds of change are blowing; blowing as gently as a breeze and as fiercely as a tornado. Africa stand up on your feet and harness the benefits.
Africa is a beautiful continent. It is blessed with fertile soils, breathtaking landscapes, tonnes of minerals, priceless flora and fauna and most of all irreplaceable human capacity. Africa has a great deal of potential to feed her children, improve the standards of living of her people bring about sustainable development.
The lyrics to a soundtrack from one of the many "Jungle Book" movies says, "Take good care of nature and it will take good care of you..." That is what ought to be done. We should love, respect and take care of this continent. It sustains us. It sustained our forefathers and we would like it to sustain our children.
Rise up Africa. Let us not sit back and watch the world pass us by.
Africa is a beautiful continent. It is blessed with fertile soils, breathtaking landscapes, tonnes of minerals, priceless flora and fauna and most of all irreplaceable human capacity. Africa has a great deal of potential to feed her children, improve the standards of living of her people bring about sustainable development.
The lyrics to a soundtrack from one of the many "Jungle Book" movies says, "Take good care of nature and it will take good care of you..." That is what ought to be done. We should love, respect and take care of this continent. It sustains us. It sustained our forefathers and we would like it to sustain our children.
Rise up Africa. Let us not sit back and watch the world pass us by.
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