Women farmers are key in tackling Africa’s pervasive hunger status

February 4, 2022

Empowering women in agriculture, will not only increase food production, but it will improve malnutrition which costs the African economies the equivalent of 11% of its GDP.

The gist:

Evidence suggests that “one in five Africans faced hunger in 2020 – more than double the number of people in other parts of the world.” A recent report “by the Malabo Montpellier Panel to tackle food security in the region highlights the importance of women taking control of nutrition-relevant resources and decision making.”

The Stats:

• Women continue to dominate the informal food processing and trading sectors

• 70% of post-harvest activities are undertaken by women

• Initiatives such as Muhanga Food Processing Industries (MFPI), a women-only agro-processing company established by the local NGO COCOF in 2004, are contributing to mechanisation [sic] efforts

• MFPI buys soya, maize, sorghum and wheat from five cooperatives, which includes 2,805 farmers, 83.5% of whom are women

• Women account for about 60% of informal traders at border checkpoints in West and Central Africa

The Report that analyzed “over 50 country reports published between 2017 and 2020,” offering a “roadmap of government action toward better performing and more resilient African food systems.” Empowering women in agriculture as a prolific and sustainable solution, that can also lead not only to more food production, but better nutrition in the foods produced.

Another example of how leaving women out of the equation is harmful and effects more than women.

Connect with the Report here.