About 783 million people chronically hungry – Dr. Komlaga highlights UN findings

Dr. Gregory Afra Komlaga, Principal Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Food Research Institute, has raised concerns about the global hunger crisis.

He cited UN data indicating that out of the world’s 8.2 billion people are chronically hungry.

This represents 783 million and roughly 10 percent of the global population.

Dr. Komlaga presented these statistics during the Women in Agribusiness Week Conference, organised by Guzakuza, an advocacy organisation for women in agribusiness on the theme: “Connecting Women, Connecting African Food Systems”.

Dr. Komlaga said the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa is even more severe, with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reporting in 2022 that 22.5 per cent of the region’s population suffers from chronic hunger.

He said: “Food security remains a global challenge and is especially pressing for Africa,” emphasising that hunger and malnutrition undermined the welfare of millions on the continent.

Dr. Komlaga pointed to a 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) report that found Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s undernourished children, with malnutrition being a major health issue, especially for children under five years and the elderly.

He explained that this was due to food insecurity, driven by low food production levels, high post-harvest losses, and inadequate food distribution systems.

“FAO data shows that about 30 percent of food harvested globally is either lost or wasted annually,” Dr. Komlaga noted.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder farmers are especially affected, losing up to half or more of their produce before it reaches consumers. Such losses impact not only food availability but also food prices, exacerbating the cycle of poverty and hunger.

Dr. Komlaga emphasized that employing advanced food production, post-harvest technologies, and efficient processing methods could play a transformative role in addressing hunger.

“By improving food production processes and reducing post-harvest losses, we can ensure a more stable food supply and help moderate food prices, which is critical for achieving food security,” he stated.

The conference’s theme resonated with these goals, highlighting women’s critical role in promoting innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in African food systems. Dr. Komlaga applauded Guzakuza’s work in empowering women agripreneurs across Africa and the diaspora with essential tools and resources to establish and grow their businesses.

Dr. Komlaga encouraged women engaged in agribusiness to prioritize responsibility and accountability, especially in food production and processing.

“As we push for women’s empowerment in agribusiness, it’s essential that they uphold standards that ensure safe, high-quality food for consumers,” he advised.

He underscored that women in agribusiness are not just stakeholders but also custodians of food quality and safety.

Nana Adjoa Sifa, the initiator and lead at Guzakuza, emphasized the importance of challenging policies and practices that hinder women’s progress in agribusiness.

She noted that Guzakuza is committed to confronting issues that threaten food security, reimagining a food system where African women lead and thrive.

“Through meaningful collaboration, we can tackle these pressing issues. Together, we can create an African food system that is equitable, resilient, and self-sustainable.”

Nana Sifa highlighted Guzakuza’s ongoing efforts to equip women with the knowledge and resources they need to drive transformative change in food systems across Africa.

As hunger remains a global challenge, the conference emphasized the critical role that African women and agribusiness can play in creating sustainable food solutions for future generations.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering resilience and innovation within African food systems, led by women.

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