Local Food Systems of the Current and Emerging.

Amidst emerging global challenges, the call for regional and national economies to look inwards cannot be overemphasized. Recurrently, there is the compelling need to explore new options that ensure life on earth is preserved. This may include trade-offs at different levels especially as it relates to protecting environmental resources. It would also include engaging in research for development, formulating favourable policies and engaging individuals actively. The latter is the main focus of this piece. This article explores a collection of stakeholder responsibilities required to sustain local food systems. 

Did you know? 

You and I are direct or indirect actors in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products in different forms. Whether as consumers or direct value-chain actors, every human plays a role in the achievement of food and nutrition security. And this is dependent on building, protecting and sustaining local food systems that are resilient to shocks. Moreover, unless we collectively decide to become breatharians – feeding on air rather than food – productive food systems would always be fundamental to human existence. 

What then can we do to produce more and better food (quantity and quality) amidst environmental, economic and social challenges without compromising the future of the next generation? How can we build sustainable food systems that have the ability to prepare for, adapt to and recover from different kinds of stress and shocks? How can Funke, a member of the Nigerian Parliament influence policies that protect local food systems in Nigeria? How can Chinedu the mechanic preserve his yams in an effort to protect food systems? How can Kwakwa, a herbalist in Northern Nigeria safely harvest his herbs without destroying his local food system?

Building and sustaining local food systems 

Let’s take a look at some stakeholder responsibilities that can collectively build and sustain local food systems. Some of these include;

Food Producers: These are the first and most important parts of our food systems. What is a food system without food producers? Food producers are the drivers and initial protectors of our food systems. Therefore, considering that building sustainable food systems is dependent on the optimum use of resources, willingness to adopt improved technologies and other innovations is sure to accelerate the process. These innovations may be in the form of improved seed varieties, digitalization of on-farm processes, mechanization, use of balanced fertilizer blends and other areas of precision agriculture.

The Government: There is a need to increase investment in regional and national research for development to drive country-specific innovations. This should be logical and solution-driven such that gaps are identified and actionable solutions provided. Favourable and consistent policies especially around land use, gender barriers, and a stable macro-economic environment would also enable partnerships and private sector-led investments.

Consumers: Behavioural changes are pivotal to building sustainable food systems. The consumer is the “king” and a major driver of every production and distribution process. The choices made by consumers with respect to the way, type and quantity of food consumed are important to our food systems. For example, making a decision to consume more indigenous or local varieties of food as against foreign/imported varieties and processed foods can serve as a driver for producing more local varieties. These local foods are beneficial to local food systems. Local foods are full of flavour and nutrients; they benefit the environment, promote safer supply, and support local economies.  Furthermore, consumers can protect local food systems by adjusting their diets and reducing food wastages which stress environmental resources. Consumer education is also crucial; people need to understand how their actions and inactions affect the future of food production for this generation and the next.

Investors: Investment strategies that support local food systems integration with environmental resources should be favoured over those that do not. Increasing investments by financing innovations, research and development, providing incentives to farmers for adopting new technologies etc. will contribute immensely to sustaining local food systems. For example, agricultural value-chain financing is a strategy private investors can leverage on. It is a sustainable approach to funding the production and distribution of foods. It creates value for money whilst promoting effectiveness and efficiency. 

It is important to add that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating change. A collection of productive actions from every individual is the pathway to building beneficial food systems in current and emerging times of the future. Are there other actions you consider relevant to building sustainable food systems, please leave a comment below and let’s get talking.

The Author

Ogbole Esther

''As an agriculture enthusiast, I have long had a passion for contributing my quota to the growth and development of the Nigeria agricultural sector and this birthed an interest in research to see what and how precisely agricultural strategies are implemented in developed economies of the world and how they can be adapted to suit the Nigerian scenario''. 

Agriculture in the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) 2021 Macroeconomic-Outlook for Nigeria.

 The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in February 2021 launched its 2021 Macroeconomic Outlook for Nigeria. In the report, the group revealed that only five (5) sectors experienced positive growth in 2020. These sectors include finance and insurance, information and communication, water supply, sewage and waste, human health, social services, and agriculture, which grew by 1.7%. Let’s now take a look at the recommendations of this report and the implications for the country’s agricultural sector in 2021.

The Existing Challenges

It’s no news that the growth of the Nigerian economy in 2020 was stalled by several factors including implementation of lockdowns that led to the disruption of supply chains, fall in crude oil price, and rising cases of insecurity in the country. Consequently, 16 out of 19 economic sectors contracted, leading to an overall contraction of the country’s GDP by 1.92% in the year under review.¹

While it may be expected that the lifting of lockdown measures, discovery of COVID-19 vaccines, and the recovery in the price of crude oil since Q4 2020 would translate to a much anticipated economic growth, this may not be so. The NESG reports that “several indicators point to the fact that many of the problems stalling the growth of the Nigerian economy existed pre COVID-19”². These problems include a steady decline in foreign investment inflow, a decline in external reserves, increasing inflation rates as well as a decline in the balance of trade due to increased importation. Furthermore, an unfriendly investment business environment remains a major challenge, as investor feedback captured by the NESG report centered on challenges such as corruption, bureaucracy in obtaining government approvals, policy inconsistencies, smuggling, poor infrastructural development, and insecurity.

The Way Forward

Having outlined the existing challenges, the report projected a three-case scenario for the Nigerian economy going forward, that is, the best, business-as-usual, and worst case scenarios. These scenarios are hinged on the government's approach towards four priority areas, viz-a-viz;

i. Macroeconomic stability

ii. Policy and regulatory consistency

iii. Sectoral reform and 

iv. Human capital development

Deductions from this report validate the assumption that if existing gaps in economic stability are to be bridged in 2021, addressing these four priority areas that cut across different sectors of the economy remain the nation’s best strategic option. Furthermore, in addressing the need for sectoral reforms, the report identified that between 2015 and 2019, crop production made the second-highest contribution to 92.2% of the country’s GDP. The sector contributed 37.2% to the country’s GDP only after telecommunications and information services which contributed 37.7%, while crude petroleum and natural gas in third place contributed 17.3%. This affirms the potentials of the country’s agricultural sector and the role it plays in ensuring economic stability.

Therefore, in focusing on the agricultural sector, we would expect to see more of the following;

1. Consistent and robust policies;

2. Elimination of regulatory and administrative bottlenecks especially in relation to the exportation of agro commodities produced in Nigeria;

3. Enabling a business environment that encourages more private sector-led investments (improved security, infrastructural development, better foreign exchange policies, etc)

4. “Thinking and doing technology”

5. Massive investment and total overhaul of the educational sector. This will produce sound and innovative graduates who will proffer creative solutions tailored to our challenges;

6. Efficient delivery by government MDAs and so much more.

In order for Nigeria to live up to its position as the “giant of Africa,” it is imperative to note that its efforts towards driving economic stability should remain at the center of every proposition. Foreign investors and domestic private businesses will not provide the needed support when the country’s business environment is unfavorable. Succinctly, as a matter of urgency, the government would need to put in more effort at all levels including Federal, State, and Local government to create the change we all desire.

Reference

1. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (2021): Nigeria Macroeconomic and Banking Sector Themes for 2021

2. The Nigeria Economic Group (2021): NESG Macroeconomic-Outlook 2021. Retrieved from https://www.nesgroup.org/research  

 

The Author

Ogbole Esther

 

''As an agriculture enthusiast, I have long had a passion for contributing my quota to the growth and development of the Nigeria agricultural sector and this birthed an interest in research to see what and how precisely agricultural strategies are implemented in developed economies of the world and how they can be adapted to suit the Nigerian scenario''. 

CURBING FOOD WASTAGE FOR ZERO HUNGER

How can we achieve food security if one-third of the food produced globally is wasted?

The first part of this article (here) gave a brief overview of the global status of food waste and proffered smart individual waste reduction practices such as to avoid overfeeding; making a shopping list before heading to the supermarket; checking the refrigerator before shopping to avoid buying what you already have and so on. These simple yet effective practices are important as it is often said that the best means to curb waste would be to not produce it at all.

Notwithstanding, other approaches can be adopted to manage food waste. These include: reuse or recycle (or up-cycle as it is sometimes called) the waste produced.

Reuse: This involves the use of food in its original form for other purposes such as redistribution to regions of inadequacy; as animal feed and as a good source of compost for home gardening. Basically, reusing food waste involves re-purposing without technological transformation to serve as raw material for other industries as is the case with recycling.

Image source: Google

Recycle: Despite being one of the most advocated approaches in food waste management, it has been stated previously that recycling is less sustainable in comparison with reuse of food waste, seeing as recycling can also produce waste and cause pollution in the treatment process. In spite of this line of thought, recycling of food waste is a fast-rising, profitable aspect of the agricultural value chain and is known to be an effective means of food waste management. This involves the transformation of avoidable (bread, rice, vegetables) and unavoidable (yam peels, eggshells, snail shells, orange peels) food waste into reusable forms like animal feed, organic fertilizers high in Calcium such as fertilizers produced from snail and eggshells, generation of sustainable and renewable energy as is in the case of biogas plant and so much more.

The environmental, social and economic impacts of food waste as stated in the last article cannot be overemphasized, thus, in aligning with the thoughts of Jasmine Crowe in a TedTalk on “what we’re getting wrong in the fight to end hunger” that we need to waste less to feed more and reduce the number of persons who are food insecure across the globe. It is imperative for governments and private individuals to intensify efforts especially in developing regions of the world like the sub-Saharan Africa where food is not only wasted as a result of poor infrastructural development but as a result of little-to-no awareness on waste management as well.

Farmers within this region are most affected as they painstakingly produce surplus with the hope of making huge profits but are often left disappointed as large quantities of these produces are left to waste owing to the inability to store, process or access existing markets outside their communities. Therefore, a good place to start would be to intensify sensitization of rural farmers who bear the most grunt of food waste. In the absence of immediate government infrastructural intervention programmes, they can be taught local recycling methods that would not only benefit the environment but also serve as another source of income thus, improving their livelihoods and contributing to the achievement of food and nutrition security.

Need I say that the gateway to achieving food security might just be to adopt effective means of redistributing food currently produced across the globe from regions of surplus to regions of the deficit, rather than focus on intensifying food production; but we just might never know if we fail to collectively combat food waste.

Author:

Ogbole Esther.

''As an agricultural enthusiast, I have long had a passion for contributing my quota to the growth and development of the Nigeria agricultural sector and this birthed an interest in research to see what and how precisely agricultural strategies are implemented in developed economies of the world and how they can be adapted to suit the Nigerian scenario''.

WHY AFRICA NEEDS TO EMBRACE DIGITAL MARKETING FOR AGRIBUSINESS

The world is experiencing major dynamics with rapid urbanization and rising human population in the midst of stressed environmental and natural resources, thus, emphasizing the need to evaluate our approach towards achieving food and nutrition security. Some of these approaches include:

• ·   Strengthening systems for research and innovations and dissemination of findings on improved and sustainable agricultural practices;
• ·      Protection of environmental and natural resources;
• ·      Adopting efficient methods for distributing and redistributing food;
• · Creating opportunities across the agricultural value-chain in the form of agribusiness ventures that never existed or were taken for granted before now;
• ·    Taking advantage of the digital space (digital marketing) and so much more.

Narrowing the lens to digital marketing, the internet has over time become an effective and efficient marketing tool that gives marketers the opportunity to generate leads and sales by reaching out to millions of customers from across different parts of the globe per time. Digital marketing is an efficient approach to distributing and re-distributing agricultural produce especially amongst smart modern-day farmers and small-holder farmers with the help of computer literate intermediaries.

Although not fully harnessed in Nigeria and parts of sub-Saharan Africa, an overview of agribusiness activities on the internet reveals a clear deviation from what was in the recent past (say 3 to 4 years ago). This is because quite a number of agribusiness companies now have an online presence, providing different forms of agricultural services to interested persons, and I must confess that this is quite encouraging. Whether these companies were established by Nigerian youths who were arm-twisted to start up something for themselves considering the looming unemployment rate in the country or young adults who are passionate and committed to the growth of agriculture, agribusiness activities on social media sure create a feel like there is a shift in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. More like a movement that seeks to ensure relevance for a sector that has been neglected for too long.

Services advertised and marketed by these companies range from production and supply of locally produced agricultural commodities such as palm oil, yams, vegetables, poultry and dairy products, fruits (in dried, powdered and fresh forms); linking farmers with investors; supply of agricultural equipment, recycling/upcycling of agricultural wastes; import and export of a wide range of agricultural commodities, consultancy services; extension services (depending on the demographics of farmers involved), packaging, branding and so much more.

We have come to see that the benefits from taking advantage of the digital space are endless as it gives fast-rising service providers the platform to reach out to millions of people around the globe through quality and fascinating pictures, videos and short captions. It also gives people the opportunity to support farmers in rural areas through companies who stand in the gap for them on the digital space; it gives modern-day (smart) farmers and consumers the opportunity to buy and sell agricultural produces without stepping into traditional markets (interesting times are here I must confess) etc. In a nutshell, the digital space provides agribusinesses with the opportunity to offer business to business, business to government and business to consumer services all in one click.

Digital marketing is the way to go seeing as it ensures relevance in the midst of shifting industry trends (agriculture really cannot be left behind though); by taking advantage of and creating useful marketable contents on social media channels, establishing business websites as well as taking advantage of paid advertising with the goal of making profit and achieving zero hunger on a wider scale through well-thought-out, meaningful posts that meet the needs of different persons in different parts of the world.

Author:

Ogbole Esther 

''My strategy is to bring to the fore various challenges faced by the Nigeria agricultural sector vis-a-vis efforts made the Federal Government so far and how these similar scenarios were managed in other countries''.

International Climate Protection Fellowship for young climate experts from developing countries 2020.

Deadline: 1 March 2020

Submit an application, if you

• are a future leader from a non-European transition or developing country (see list of countries)
• are active in any of the following areas: scientific, engineering-based, legal, economic, health-related or social aspects of climate change
• are interested in spending a year working with a host of your choice in Germany on a research-based project you have developed yourself in the field of climate protection and climate-related resource conservation

We offer you

• a monthly fellowship of between €2,170 and €2,670, depending on your qualifications
• individual mentoring during your stay in Germany
• additional financial support for items such as family members accompanying you, travel expenses or a German language course
• a three-week introductory phase, during which you will have the opportunity to make contact with other climate protection fellows and visit companies, research institutions and cultural events in Germany
• extensive alumni sponsorship, particularly to help you sustain contact with collaborative partners in Germany during your entire professional career

Please see the Programme information (PDF | HTML) for details of the application requirements and fellowship specifications.

The closing date for applications is 1 March 2020. 20 fellowships can be granted.

Click here to apply.

CURBING FOOD WASTE FOR ZERO HUNGER – How you can help.

By Ogbole Esther

Food waste in sub-Saharan Africa for me is personal because each day I live the experiences of massive waste in times of surplus (harvest months) and severe lack and hunger during the 'off' season. Over the years, I have come across very interesting quotes on food waste which has motivated me to take action, such as;

·        Don’t bite off more than you can chew! – Anonymous

·        Someone is dying for the food you’re throwing away! – Anonymous

·        You paid good money for that, why throw it away? – Anonymous

Of the many quotes I have come across, one that constantly comes to mind; reminding me of the effect of food wastage on the future generation is, “Today’s wastage is Tomorrow’s shortage”.

The state of Food Waste in sub-Saharan Africa

''A report published in 2013 estimated that up to 50 percent of the world’s food production ended up in the trash bin. In wealthy countries this food is often thrown away at the consumer and retail level due to excessive purchases and portions or ridiculous standards for food appearance and shape. In poor countries food ends up being lost before it even reaches the table due to lack of infrastructure, poor refrigeration, or unreliable transportation''. In fact, the FAO estimates that Africa as a whole loses enough food annually to feed 300 million, or nearly a third of all of Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, over 200 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are today undernourished''.

Food waste along the value-chain

Although Paffit, Barthel and MacNaughton (2010)  suggested  that food waste may occur along different stages of the food supply chain, vis-a-vis harvesting, threshing, drying, storage, processing, product elevation, packaging, marketing and distribution, post-consumer and end of life; food wastage at post-consumer stage cuts across different individuals in the society irrespective of whether you are a producer, processor, distributor or consumer. Thus, Alexander, Gregson & Gille (2013) stated that food waste at this stage – post-consumer – has received the most attention over the years.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation – food waste not only has social and economic effects but environmental effects as well; referring to food wastage as “a missed opportunity to improve global food security”. This is because it reduces food availability, depletes or wastes resources used in production, processing and distribution, negatively affects the efforts of farmers, whilst silently depleting the income of consumers and polluting the environment simultaneously. Summarily, food waste weakens the food system.

Beyond the numerous implications food waste has on a society, an important one is the deprivation of essential nutrients we may need tomorrow, which is why it is important to adopt simple measures in addition to structural changes such as recycling wastes, public sensitization, providing electricity for improved storage and formulating policies to checkmate food waste as well as support organizations that promote sustainable food systems.

Wondering how you can reduce your food waste and help achieve food security?

·     shopping smart (buy only what you can consume per time)

·    make a shopping list before each shopping, buy ugly fruits – whether they are crooked or have a protruding back – because they contain as much nutrients as the good-looking fruits

·      avoid over-feeding (eat just as much as you need)

·     check your fridge before shopping (this saves you buying what you already have) 

·        buy loose fruits and vegetables as against pre-packaged ones just to ensure you buy the exact quantity you need,

·   encourage the establishment of urban and school gardens to inspire kids to get involved in the production of the fruits and veg they love.

Engaging in these little habits in addition to government efforts will ensure we fulfill a moral obligation that involves ensuring that food is available for all by avoiding food wastage because “to throw food away means to throw people away” – Pope Francis.

My name is Ogbole Esther Ojonugwa, a graduate of General Agriculture with a major in Agricultural Economics from the Federal University of Technology, Minna – Niger State, Nigeria; currently undergoing a Master’s Degree Programme in Agricultural Economics at the University of Abuja. 

References

FAO (2018): Food Loss and Waste and the Right to Adequate Food. Right to Food Discussion Paper

Alexander, C., Gregson, N. & Gille, Z. (2013). Food Waste. 10.13140/2.1.2239.2964.

Paffit J., Barthel M., and MacNaughton S.(2010): Food Waste Within Supply Chains: Quantification and Potential for Change to 2050. The Royal Society. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0126

https://mongabay.org/programs/special-reporting-initiatives/sri-opportunities/sri-food-waste-spoilage-in-sub-saharan-africa/

Become a contributor towards actualising Food and Nutrition Security in sub-Saharan Africa

Deadline: 23rd November 2019


Apply to join the next generation of change makers who are working to actualise Food and Nutrition Security in sub-Saharan Africa through informed knowledge and information sharing. We are currently taking applications for contributors on our new food security blog, www.grow4peace.co.uk. The focus is on discussions around achieving food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Themes:

Nutrition
Food security
Food technology
Food safety
Agri-tech
Crop production
Soil science
WASH
Climate Change
Advancing rural livelihoods etc.

This is also a hub for global opportunities in the relevant areas.
NB. This is not a paid position
The benefits are endless.

Click for more information or to register your interest 

Win $2M Food System Vision Prize for Innovation in Food Futures 2050.

Deadline: January 31, 2020

Join the  Food System Vision Prize, launched by the Rockefeller Foundation and powered by SecondMuse and OpenIDEO.

 Do you have an idea that could change our food future? we’re looking for Visions that answer the question: How might we envision regenerative and nourishing food futures for 2050?

As a Food System Vision Prize participant (a.k.a. Visionary) you will be tasked with developing a concrete and actionable Vision for your chosen place—town, state/province, region, bioregion, watershed, or country—through a systems approach.

A Grand Prize of $200,000 USD each will be awarded to up to 10 Top Visionary Teams. Finalists will also receive entry into an Accelerator, and gain access to advisors and resources from The Rockefeller Foundation. 

Click for more info or apply

Apply: Enhancing capacity to apply research evidence in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa research grant

Deadline: 19 December 2019

The Capacity Development Office is pleased to announce the “Enhancing capacity to apply research evidence in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa” research grant funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The grant will award 30 research fellowships in year 2020. Fifty fellowships were awarded in 2018 and 2019, and this is the third and last call for applications.

The fellowship is for young academics, professionals and students at the post-course work/research stage of their programs for the study of Youth Engagement in Agribusiness and Rural Economic Activities in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be young Africans.
• The research will be carried out in the following countries: Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, and Zambia.
• Applicants must not be more than 40 years old at the time of application.
• Applicants must be young scholars at a research institute or university in Africa or a student registered in a PhD or Master’s program in recognized universities in Africa, majoring in agricultural economics, agribusiness, economics or a related social science field, and must have finished their university course work.
• Applicants must be able to conduct research in the target countries.
• The duration of the research should not exceed 6 months.

Awards

• Awards for Research Grants are up to $10,000 (Proposals with a reasonable higher budget can also be selected depending on the quality of the research proposal).
• Grantees will be supervised by IITA’s socio-economics scientists in close collaboration with their national/university supervisors.
• Grantees will be offered training on research methodology, data management, and scientific writing.
• Grantees will be offered training on production of research evidence for policy-making.

Click for more info or apply.