The Significance of Food, Nutrition and Water Security: The African Story
Abstract
Globally, the hidden costs attributed to food systems amount to US$12.7 trillion annually, about 10% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while agriculture accounts for only 4% of global GDP. Africa has distinguished levels of hunger and malnutrition that are incompatible with the African Union's agenda for 2063. Almost 300 million people in Africa are estimated to be at risk of intensifying hunger due to the destructive impacts of conflict, climate variability and extremes, economic slowdowns and downturns. This research review highlights the status of global food, nutrition, and water security, factors affecting food security, effects of food insecurity, and food safety and value addition in Africa. The qualitative research review is based primarily on literature review from secondary data sources. Food systems have become the central theme among food actors and scholars to comprehend and adequately address food, nutrition, and water security. African governments need to incorporate sustainability and climate resilience strategies to achieve food, nutrition, and water security. Most African countries have limited awareness of food security, nutrition, and water issues, as evidenced by the lack of comprehensive policies and initiatives. The consequences of these issues are profound, and substantial action is required to prevent Africa from becoming desolate in the coming decades.
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Introduction
Globally, the hidden costs attributed to food systems amount to US$12.7 trillion annually, about 10% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while agriculture accounts for only 4% of global GDP [1]. The highest hidden cost of agri-food systems globally comes from the productivity losses linked to the burden of diseases caused by dietary patterns, costing the globe approximately US$9.3 trillion annually [1]. In the 21st century, Africa continues to have distinguished levels of hunger and malnutrition in the world that are incompatible with the African Union's agenda for 2063 [2]. Hunger and malnutrition are common areas under discussion in almost all African countries. In this review paper, water is included as part of food and nutrition security.
Food security, nutrition and water are essential rights of everyone, and many Africans are deprived of these rights [2]. Several studies have pointed to various factors that contribute remarkably to food insecurity in Africa, and these include limited availability and adoption of yield-increasing technologies, food price inflation, rapid population growth, low economic growth, storms, cyclones and droughts [3]. In previous incidences, references are made to food and nutrition security only; rarely does one find the mention of water as part of food and nutrition security. Due to unknown factors, the importance of water has not been highlighted.
These challenges have exposed the vulnerability of Africa's food systems, compromising the ability to meet the rapidly increasing population's food demand [4]. Africa's food systems are at a critical stage, and climate change will likely deepen food insecurity and potentially jeopardise hard-earned development gains [5]. The percentage of arable land irrigated in Africa is only 7% as compared to South America (10%), East Asia (29%) and South Asia (41%), and this clearly shows that there is untapped potential for the development of the continent's water resources for increasing agriculture production (food production) [6]. Food insecurity remains a problem in Africa, regardless of the efforts to increase the quality and production of global food resources [7].
Objectives and Research Questions: The objectives of this review are: (i) to synthesize the current status of food, nutrition and water security in Africa; (ii) to examine the principal factors affecting food, nutrition and water security on the continent; (iii) to assess the consequences of food insecurity; and (iv) to identify policy pathways for improving food, nutrition and water security. The review is guided by the following research questions: What is the current status of food, nutrition and water security in Africa? What are the principal drivers of food insecurity on the continent? What are the consequences of food insecurity? What policy responses are required? The review also applies Amartya Sen's entitlement theory to examine access-related dimensions of food security.
Conclusion
Africa suffers more than any continent due to climate change, yet they have not contributed significantly. Most African countries have limited awareness of food security, nutrition and water issues. Water insecurity in Africa is likely to intensify under the ever-increasing water demand and rise in global temperatures. Substantial action from all relevant parties is required to tackle this massive problem of water insecurity. As a result, people tend to be reluctant on this matter, making food insecurity more prevalent. Research and development budgets must be increased from 1% of the gross domestic product to improve agricultural production. Land under irrigation also needs to increase from the current 6% to at least 20% to achieve food security in Africa, especially with the rising population. African states are in serious debt, and some developed countries use food insecurity as a bribe. Food security, nutrition and water consequences are profound; without coordinated action, Africa risks becoming desolate in the next few decades.
Limitations of the Review: This is a narrative review based on published literature and publicly available institutional information; it does not present new experimental or survey data. The evidence base is weighted toward institutional reports and selected peer-reviewed studies, with limited systematic coverage of some sub-regions. A formal systematic search strategy was not employed, and the possibility of selection or publication bias cannot be excluded. The use of entitlement theory is interpretive rather than formal modeling. Some claims (for example, regarding future desolation or the role of developed countries) are broad and would require scenario analysis or additional evidence to substantiate. Despite these limitations, the review provides a structured synthesis that can guide policy and future research.
Future Research Directions: Priority research should include: (1) systematic reviews and meta-analyses of food, nutrition and water security interventions in Africa; (2) scenario analyses of climate change impacts on food systems; (3) comparative studies of land tenure reforms and food security outcomes; (4) field evaluation of biotechnology and biofortification under African conditions; (5) assessment of value addition and post-harvest loss reduction; and (6) integrated water–energy–food nexus studies at national and regional scales.
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