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Africa food systems are still fragile to external shocks, thus contribute to high levels of starvation and poverty, an international agriculture forum heard yesterday.

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) President Agnes Kalibata said that the food status in Africa still faces challenges despite bold reforms various governments have employed. 

She spoke during the launch of the four-day Alliance for a Green Revolution forum.

The forum is being attended by local and international agriculture stakeholders.  

Kalibata said the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed the to the cases of scarcity. 

The 2021 Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR21) was released during the forum.

The report with the theme Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Africa Systems entails and calls for the necessary actions by governments, pan-African organisations, bilateral and multilateral development partners, and the private sector.

“This year’s AASR21 details the practical steps all stakeholders from governments and regional organisations to the private sector need to take to rebuild and enhance Africa’s food systems,” said Kalibata.

She added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that despite the progress we’ve made over the last decade, Africa’s food systems remain fragile to external shocks.” 

“We must take the opportunity we have to rebuild from the pandemic, to make our food systems more resilient without putting further pressure on the environment,” Kalibata added.