Agricultural productivity in Africa has recorded a 34% decline since 1961. This is according to United Nations‘ report that was prepared by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), further stated that the decline was a result of adverse impacts of climate change.
The decline according to the report has been attributed to cimate change, including increases in frequency and intensity of extremes. This have reduced food and water security, hindering efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals. Climate change has slowed this growth over the past 50 years globally.
Kenya for instance is experiencing a decline in productivity as a result of erratic rainfall and intensifying droughts. According to the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG), the maize harvest in the marginal agricultural areas is 45-50% of the five-year national maize production average.
Also read: Why African Languages Matter – Victor Oladokun
The situation is attributed to widespread below-average crop production in marginal agricultural areas, with crop failure in Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Tharaka Nithi. By February, the number of food-insecure people in pastoral and marginal agricultural areas had risen from 2.1 million in August 2021 to 3.1 million. This, according to KFSSG, was driven by impacts of poor crop and livestock production and resource-based conflict.
Maize crop failure
“Widespread maize crop failure was reported in Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Tharaka Nithi, where county maize production was 1% to 7% of the five-year average. The below-average harvest was due to households planting on less land in anticipation of the below-average rainfall, lower seed stocks, and below-average rainfall throughout the short rains season,” Famine Early Systems Network noted.
And while the IPCC report suggests that increasing weather and climate extreme events have exposed millions of people to acute food insecurity, reduced water security, it notes that the largest impacts have been observed in communities in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Small Islands and the Arctic.
“Jointly, sudden losses of food production and access to food compounded by decreased diet diversity have increased malnutrition in many communities, especially for Indigenous Peoples, small-scale food producers and low-income households with children, elderly people and pregnant women particularly impacted,” it notes.
Also read: WAPSI Forum raises hope of inclusivity and good governance in West Africa
According to a forecast by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum, the below-average rains recorded between October 2021 and December 2021 had a negative impact on the performance of the crops.
It is estimated that the aggregate cereal production in 2021 was tentatively forecast at about 4.3 million tonnes, a 12 per cent down from 2020 and about 3 per cent below the average of the previous five years.
The IPCC report predicts that climate change will continue putting pressure on food production and access, especially in vulnerable regions, undermining food security and nutrition. The frequency is expected to intensify with the severity of droughts, floods and heat waves. It also predicts that the continued sea-level rise will increase risks to food security in vulnerable regions from moderate to high between 1.5°C and 2°C global warming level.
