7 critical uncertainties that affect African farmers and food systems While volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) has become a major characteristic of all economies across the globe, the situation is worse for African farmers and food systems.  In agriculture-driven African economies, some of the enduring uncertainties include the following: 1. Price uncertainties – whether Read more about 7 critical uncertainties that affect African farmers and food systems[…]

African mass markets provide better solutions to opportunity costs If there were no mass markets, most African farmers would not be able to benefit from the seasonal nature of most production practices. Smallholder grain producers often ask themselves questions like: Which is better earning USD240 from a ton of oil seeds in the mass markets Read more about African mass markets provide better solutions to opportunity costs[…]

Indigenous food can liberate African countries from the foreign currency trap Over-dependency on foreign currency is a new form of colonization that is preventing African countries from developing their own agriculture and food systems. For instance, countries like Zimbabwe are producing commodities using foreign currency to sell those commodities for earning foreign currency, used for Read more about Indigenous food can liberate African countries from the foreign currency trap[…]

Contrary to formal markets that are mostly about transactions, African mass food markets are not just about pushing commodities to consumers but education. Many urban consumers would not know how to prepare some indigenous vegetables and wild potatoes if mass markets did not exist. Dominant in almost every African city, mass food markets are centres Read more about African mass markets are not just about pushing commodities but educating consumers and farmers[…]

Food systems are broader than value chains – thanks to African mass markets While there is a tendency for policy makers to conflate food systems with value chains, mass food markets reveal how food systems are broader than value chains. That distinction is very important in clarifying and creating pathways for decolonizing food systems. Putting Read more about Food systems are broader than value chains – thanks to African mass markets[…]

Periodic surveys like crop and livestock assessments have become a common feature in most African agriculture-driven economies. These surveys are often conducted during and after the planting season. While surveys like vulnerability assessments are important, in a changing climate characterized by mid-season droughts and disruptions in market supplies, periodic surveys should be supplemented with continuous Read more about Beyond traditional surveys – the value of continuous listening to the market[…]

Contrary to beliefs by most policy makers in African countries, in the history of mankind, no country has built an inclusive society using external food and foreign knowledge systems. That is why developing countries should make sure foreign forces do not accelerate loss of local food and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). Progressive actions in this Read more about Creating a level playing field for local food and Indigenous Knowledge Systems[…]

Irrigation schemes should promote local food systems While irrigation is touted as a solution to food and nutrition security under a changing climate, it may not be helpful if irrigation schemes set up in African dry regions focus on producing exotic or external commodities. In dry regions where small grains and small livestock grow naturally, Read more about Irrigation schemes should promote local food systems[…]

Pathways for stimulating economic development in local communities While it makes sense for African policy makers to move decision making closer to communities who are often impacted by shocks like climate change and economic collapse, most countries still struggle to embed socio-economic literacy and national policies into grassroots communities.  One of the main challenges is Read more about Pathways for stimulating economic development in local communities[…]