Agriculture Must Be a Priority - Expert Blames Policy Gaps for Food Crisis

(Anani Ferdinand. photo by this day live)

Anani Ferdinand, a Nigerian farmer and agro-investment specialist, has linked Africa's ongoing food insecurity to farmers' long-standing neglect, especially at the local level.

Despite the continent's enormous agricultural potential, Ferdinand said that structural shortcomings in investment priorities and policy implementation are to blame for the continent's incapacity to feed itself on a regular basis.

In a statement provided to PUNCH Online on Thursday, Ferdinand stated, "Africa has all the natural advantages necessary to achieve food self-sufficiency, yet continues to fall short due to systemic neglect of its agricultural foundation."

He pointed out that despite receiving little support, agriculture—particularly smallholder farming—remains the foundation of food production throughout the continent.

"The majority of the continent's food is produced by farmers who frequently lack access to basic resources, such as modern equipment, improved seeds, irrigation systems, financing, storage facilities, and reliable markets," he said.

He claims that many African countries' ongoing emphasis on extractive sectors like diamonds, gold, and oil has taken attention away from agriculture.

Many African countries have made the mining and export of mineral resources a top priority for decades. These industries make money, but they don't do much to alleviate the millions of people who suffer from food insecurity on a daily basis," he continued.

The expert further stressed that policies designed at the national level often fail to translate into tangible support for rural communities.

“Policies are frequently developed at the national level but fail to translate into meaningful support for rural communities,” he said, noting that many farmers still rely on outdated methods and face unpredictable environmental conditions.

Ferdinand also identified poor infrastructure as a major constraint, citing inadequate road networks and limited electricity supply as factors contributing to post-harvest losses and reduced productivity.

He said, “Even the most fertile soil cannot reach its full potential under such conditions.”

He cautioned that the issue is getting worse due to climate change, with droughts, flooding, and erratic rainfall patterns interfering with agricultural operations.

"Farmers remain extremely vulnerable to these environmental challenges without sufficient investment in climate-resilient agricultural practices," stated Ferdinand.

He acknowledged that several African nations have recently made attempts to revitalize the agricultural sector, but he insisted that these efforts have not yet reached the size necessary for significant impact.

He stated, "There are encouraging signs of progress, but these efforts remain insufficient in scale and consistency to deliver continent-wide transformation."

Ferdinand demanded immediate changes that would empower farmers by giving them access to capital, training, and equipment. 

"Giving farmers the resources, education, and funding they need to prosper should be a top priority for governments," he stated.

Additionally, he called for a change in perspective, emphasizing that agriculture should be viewed as a profitable and viable industry rather than a backup plan.

He continued, "Agriculture should no longer be seen as a backup plan but rather as a profitable and strategic industry capable of promoting economic growth, lowering poverty, and guaranteeing food security."

According to Ferdinand, a lack of concerted commitment rather than a lack of capacity is the cause of Africa's food crisis.

He came to the conclusion that as long as Africa relied on outside assistance to feed its people, its growth story would stay unfinished.

He said, "Africa is capable of feeding itself. A unified and persistent commitment to realizing the agricultural sector's full potential is what is lacking.