Experts assert that African nations must implement immediate measures to overcome production shortfalls, nutritional deficiencies, and the challenges posed by rapidly expanding populations through collaborative efforts to establish sustainable food systems.
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Africa Managing Director Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg identified critical obstacles confronting the continent, such as ongoing production gaps, malnutrition issues, and swift population growth.
Wanjiru emphasized that at the core of The Alliance’s initiatives are frameworks tailored to African environments, designed to benefit both humanity and the environment.
She explained that this approach produces applicable scientific knowledge to manage real-world compromises and guides policy decisions, investments, and community outcomes through robust collaborations.
‘The consensus from these deliberations is unmistakableno single entity can revolutionize food systems independently; advancement requires unified efforts, and Africa is not passively awaiting inclusion but is actively directing the worldwide dialogue,’ stated Wanjiru.
Her remarks were delivered during a parallel session held during the unveiling of the EAT–Lancet Commission 2.0 Report at the Africa Exchange Kenya conference.
The gathering united decision-makers, researchers, and development professionals worldwide to intensifying strains on food systems, encompassing climate disruptions, escalating food costs, and increasing disparities.
‘The EAT-Lancet 2.0 offers not merely data but a novel perspective. Therefore, the strategies we develop must mirror these actualities. This entails making choices based on evidence yet also informed by firsthand experiences,’ Wanjiru added.
Attendees highlighted that sustainable food system componentsencompassing health, environmental considerations, equity, modeling, and transformationpossess international relevance, yet their application in Africa must be rooted in local conditions, cultural contexts, and ecological frameworks.
As indicated by Selina Nkoline, a farmer from Narok who also serves as Indigenous Maasai Leader and Founder of Nashipai Maasai Community Projects, native African communities play a vital role in guaranteeing sufficient and nutritious food availability across the continent.
‘Within the Maasai community, we possess abundant resources, particularly land, but we require collaborative arrangements to instruct our people on the most suitable and applicable agricultural methods,’ she stated.
Nkoline recounted being among the initial females from her settlement to receive formal schooling, and having been raised in a conventional pastoral household, she had no prior exposure to farming until she studied agriculture in school.
Subsequently, she created a food forest at the educational institution she attended, not merely as a means of contributing to her community, but also as demonstration that agriculture is viable and appropriate in arid regions.
‘Additionally, our women and youth represent largely untapped potential who could be educated in sustainable food production practices,’ Nkoline stated.
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Director General and Representative to Ethiopia Dr. Namukolo Covic emphasized the necessity of making nutritious food available while ensuring sustainable production to protect the environment.
Through this approach, she observed, there would be improvement not only in the wellbeing of the present population, but also in creating a healthier planet for future generations.
‘Even if we properly addressed all other issues such as reducing fossil fuel dependence and eliminating toxic substances but neglected to transform food systems, we would still lack a sustainable planet,’ stated Namukolo, who also serves as an EAT-Lancet Commissioner.
Attendees acknowledged that food systems function as both a significant contributor to worldwide challenges and a promising avenue for solutions, meaning their transformation presents a chance to concurrently tackle climate change, enhance health conditions, and diminish inequality.