Africa Stop the lip service and talk about real support systems in food production

The economic hardship of the aftermath of Covid-19 is becoming more unbearable for rural dwellers, especially smallholder farmers whose livelihood depends solely on their local economy. This is becoming more alarming as more consumers have low purchasing power due to the economic turndown. Sadly, there is no end in sight soon.

Smallholder farmers are the lifeline of food security in developing countries

Therefore, it is important that the government and other relevant stakeholders come together in providing succour to the most vulnerable groups, whose majority are smallholder farmers. Besides, we need to genuinely identify the root causes of our challenges to avoid similar occurrences in the future. We need to stop the lip service of improving farmers' livelihood as many interventions in the past achieved little to assist the rural dwellers. As a nation and continent, we need to chart a common course to increase farmer's productivity, make food available and affordable.

Achieving food security should be the responsibility of everyone and we should consciously be involved to provide evidence-based solutions for sustainable growth and development. Smallholder farmers are the lifeline of food security in developing countries and we cannot achieve this feat until they attain improved livelihoods in their respective communities.

Yours-in-service

Babatunde