By Nico van Burick
The Trump administration’s decision to cut funding to the World Food Programme (WFP) could soon have a major impact on food security across Africa.
The WFP has warned that without urgent new funding, 3,6 million of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable people will lose access to life-saving food aid in the coming weeks. This follows President Donald Trump’s reduction of USAID funding, which supported the WFP, among other organisations.
“[This] should serve as a wake-up call to African governments to improve their agricultural production,” says Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz. He cautions that few Southern African countries produce a surplus of grains, a key staple food. Most seasons, only South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania produce surpluses for export, whereas countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique typically rely on grain imports.
Regarding the famine in Ethiopia, the WFP has warned that rising hunger is beginning to outpace available resources. This crisis is driven by ongoing conflict, which has made it impossible for farmers to plant crops in parts of the country, and is further worsened by drought and poor economic conditions.
The WFP reports that more than 10 million people in Ethiopia are facing famine and malnutrition, including 3 million displaced by conflict and extreme weather. More than 3 million people have already received food aid in the first quarter of the year.
According to The Guardian, the WFP said its commitment to supporting communities in need remains as strong as ever, and that it will continue to act as effectively as possible to alleviate hunger.
Sihlobo says he does not know what the full impact of Trump’s decision will be on the WFP’s effectiveness, but that it is worth highlighting that roughly half of the WFP’s budget is funded by the US. This raises concerns about the organisation’s ability to maintain its current level of support in the future. He adds, however, that the Trump administration has stated that it intends to modify some of its support for food needs through the WFP, rather than completely withdrawing its support.
“Whether the modification maintains or even improves the effectiveness of the WFP remains to be seen,” he says. “It is sufficient to say that, if the funding it cut, there are risks for various countries in Africa and the Middle East.
“However, the whole food issue in Africa should not necessarily be an American problem, at least in the medium term. The African leaders must act on what they always preach about the importance of agriculture. We have heard speeches on numerous occasions about how this sector is essential and will support Africa’s economic growth and job creation. But we rarely see meaningful policy changes that drive the industry forward.”
Action and policy changes needed
Sihlobo says poverty in Africa is more of a political issue than a scientific one. “Politicians must lead with action and policy change, focusing less on grand speeches and gatherings, which have yielded little in the recent past.”
He believes that addressing the following five points will lead to meaningful improvements in agricultural and food security conditions in Africa over time:
1. Extending title deeds or tradeable leases to farmers and agribusinesses;
2. Investing in infrastructure;
3. Embracing technological advancements in seeds, genetics and agrochemicals;
4. Limiting trade and commodity price interventions; and
5. Supporting commercial farming.
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