Water supplies, food prices a concern for Africa

African governments have revealed their plans of increasing agricultural productivity

By Thami Dickson
Global initiatives of boosting agricultural development to curb rising food prices will not be successful if water supply in Africa is not improved.

This came out at the conclusion of a three day high level meeting of global ministers of agriculture, water, land and environment at the United Nations (UN) in New York. South African Minister of Water Affairs Lindiwe Hendricks told the meeting of the need for farmers to have efficient infrastructure for their water consumption. Africa governments have also revealed their plans of increasing agricultural productivity.

Agriculture is now back on the international agenda as key in addressing the current rising food prices caused by food shortages. Governments are called upon to produce their own food instead of depending on importing from other countries.
With Africa being the worst victim of food insecurity, the continent has announced a bold decision as a first step in finding lasting solutions to the food crisis.

But the challenge to this agricultural revolution is resources and water. A concern has also been expressed that Africa will not meet her millennium development goal of supplying water to the poor due to climate change. It is feared this could have a negative impact on food availability.

The production of bio-fuels from maize crops has been criticised by many countries who argue that other means should be found so that food could be given to the poor.