Food Security in Africa

What are the biggest threats to food Security in Africa?

Rapidly growing populations

More people with the same amount of food production means that some go hungry. Without a way to locally produce more food (especially in months when imported items never meet the mouths of the many), we will start seeing even more hunger than we see today.

Being far away from food sources

Many Africans live in remote villages, isolated from anyone outside of their small community. Fresh food has often turned by the time it reaches them and transport costs can make the cost of eating higher than they can afford. While they grow their own food when they can, a lack of skill and resources and environmental challenges make this difficult to rely on.

Climate and environment

Africa is home to some of the hottest climates in the world, making it difficult to naturally grow certain basic crops. This is on top of the expected season changes that make food availability lower during some parts of the year. During these months, imports and rising costs due to limited supply and abundant demand have a direct link to rising hunger in Africa.

Pests

Pests are a significant challenge for farmers in Africa. Insects, birds, and rodents can destroy crops and open fields offer little protection against them. This makes it challenging to control pests effectively and can mean significant losses for farmers.

Poor water quality 

Water quality is vital to agricultural productivity and food security. Many African countries don’t have the infrastructure for effective sewage management or waste management. So, we see a combination of human waste and litter contaminating the water - which can’t support optimal plant growth and has negative consequences for food production.

Water scarcity 

Not only is water scarcity a growing concern worldwide, but poor infrastructure makes access to running water a major challenge in Africa. People are often far from a water source, let alone a clean one. And this makes farming almost impossible.

Overmining

Many African countries rely on natural resources to support their economies, and because of this, they sometimes mine more than the earth can bear. Natural resources, including fertile soil, are being depleted and in some cases completely destroyed, making it incredibly challenging to grow crops.

Greenhouses to the rescue

All year farming

Farming in greenhouses is an incredibly valuable solution to food security in Africa. Greenhouses give a controlled environment where plants can thrive regardless of external factors. This means that crops can grow all year round, ensuring a steady supply of food throughout the year, less reliance on imports and more controlled pricing.

Water and greenhouses

In greenhouses, the water used for irrigation is filtered within the greenhouse. The closed system ensures that the water is clean, which is critical for optimal plant growth. Greenhouses also use less water than traditional farming, and water can be recycled within the greenhouse. So whether it’s water scarcity or clean water that concerns us, greenhouses are an excellent answer.

Pest control

Greenhouses offer a physical barrier that prevents pests from reaching crops and gives farmers better ways to control them. With better pest control, growers can increase their yield and income, while reducing reliance on harmful pesticides.

No soil? No problem

Greenhouses also open us up to advanced farming techniques like hydroponics. Hydroponics is a method of growing without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead. With this, we’re less reliant on soil and can produce higher yields than traditional farming methods. 

Getting closer to the source

Another major advantage of greenhouse farming is that it can be done on a small scale, making it accessible to small-scale farmers. These farmers make up the majority of farmers in Africa, and by giving them the tools and knowledge to set up and run a greenhouse, they can improve their productivity and ensure food security for their families and communities.

Let’s solve hunger, one greenhouse at a time

With its controlled environment, greenhouse farming can ensure a steady supply of food all year round, improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, increase access to fresh food and reduce concerns over resources and environment. Many countries in Africa are starting to embrace this technology, and it’s been an honour to be part of food security solutions across Africa.