News24: OPINION | Africa will not be able to feed 10 billion people by 2050
Ethel Phiri, lecturer in the Department of Agronomy at the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University, and colleagues

“…The idea that Africa will feed the world by 2050 is based on the premise that it has over 60% of uncultivated arable land that can be used to grow food for the global population. There is no doubt that many people in Africa gain most of their caloric intake from cereal grains, and having it as the leading producer of cereal grains for export to the rest of the world should be feasible. … However, the agricultural intensification of these staple crops and their consumption have not reduced poverty and malnutrition, especially in underdeveloped countries. … As we observe Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (30 October), it’s important to realize that before 2050, African governments and the African Union must develop policies that will empower small-scale farmers and individuals producing for informal markets. … We believe three things need to happen before Africa can feed the world. Firstly, governments should create fiscal incentives that would allow for an increase in the production and accessibility of healthy foods by creating links between consumers and producers. Secondly, small-scale farmers and producers should be incentivized to produce highly nutritious foods. … Thirdly, the nutritional quality of the supply of food should be included in policy objectives across the supply chain and formal avenues should be created for civil society to participate and engage in economic policymaking that will affect food supply, as well as policies directed at food and nutrition security” (10/30).