[Actualités Diplomatiques & International] Critical concern for Africa and the international community

Critical concern for Africa and the international community

vendredi 21 juillet 2006
par adi

The Rome Declaration of World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action made it mandatory for the national and the international communities in developing countries, particularly in Africa south of the Sahara, to address the multifaceted causes underlying food insecurity and the apparent increase in the number of hungry and malnourished people in the region.

A nation can only be food secure when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

The history of governance reveals that no sustainable democracy has ever been built on empty stomachs and poverty.

Food security has had a far reaching impact on democratisation processes. It is a sound road map to rural development and political stability. Therefore the issue of assuring food security for all in Africa is of critical concern not only for African governments but also for the international community.

The Plan of Action in the region will require the adoption of a participatory networking approach and the mobilisation of resources from domestic, private and public sources, as well as the international community.

Investments will be needed to ensure adequate provision and access to means of production ; land, water, inputs especially fertilisers and improved seeds, technologies and credit. It is equally necessary to address sustainable food security through :

Food availability : - to produce food in abundance and provide facilities to transport it from areas of surplus to areas of low production.

Food storage, preservation and marketing : - to reduce post harvest losses and to stabilise food commodity prices.

Food affordability : - through enhanced purchasing power for people to have access to a balanced nutrition and optimum caloric intake.

In support of investments in these areas, national governments will need to ensure the provision of a peaceful and stable environment for the attainment of sustainable agricultural growth.

Capacity building is vital to sustainable development. Human capacities need to be strengthened at all levels of implementation (national, regional, state and beneficiaries). There is equally the need to ensure efficient synergies among all national food security programmes and projects.

Investments made should be regularly and timely monitored towards the achievements of perceived goals.

Source : nepad news, july 21st, 2006