Climate change and conflict are often cited as primary contributors to this crisis, but a deeper issue lies at its core: outdated ideas and strategies rooted in the postcolonial era continue to guide Africa’s agricultural practices. These plans, developed decades ago, have largely failed to address the continent's food insecurity and malnutrition effectively.

A Persistent and Region-Wide Challenge

Food insecurity varies across Africa, with central and western regions being the most affected. Yet, the problem spans the entire continent, making it a region-wide crisis. Modern agricultural practices in Africa, heavily influenced by colonial-era policies, prioritize commercial production over addressing the broader dimensions of food security.

Food security encompasses six key dimensions: availability, access, stability, utilization, sustainability, and agency. While increasing food production might address availability, it often neglects the other five dimensions. Food insecurity is not merely about the absence of food but also about people’s inability to access it. Factors such as unstable prices, a lack of cooking fuel, and unsustainable farming practices contribute to this issue.

The Colonial Legacy of Agriculture

Many core agricultural practices in Africa trace their roots to the colonial era. Modern agronomy, developed in Europe, was designed to serve colonial interests by producing crops that benefited European economies. Despite criticisms, this approach continues to shape agricultural practices today.

For instance, the West African nation of Mali adopted a cotton-focused agricultural strategy, believing it would drive economic growth. The plan assumed that farmers would use the profits and resources from cotton production to grow food crops. However, this approach led to severe soil degradation, farmer indebtedness, and alarming rates of child malnutrition.

Similarly, South Africa’s post-apartheid land reform initiatives emphasized large-scale commercial farming. This model, which prioritized economic growth over food security, resulted in high rates of project failure and did little to reduce malnutrition.

Agriculture as a Means of Industrialization

Another significant challenge is the perception of agriculture as merely a stepping stone toward industrialization. Many African countries and international organizations prioritize commercial agriculture, often favoring single-crop production with expensive inputs such as fertilizers. These crops are primarily grown for export or distant urban markets, sidelining smaller farms focused on local consumption and food security.

For example, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa funded a rice commercialization project in Burkina Faso. Women farmers were encouraged to abandon traditional practices, adopt improved seeds, and sell their produce to larger markets. However, research revealed that these efforts yielded minimal nutritional benefits for participants.

In Botswana, the government deprioritized food self-sufficiency during the 1980s as its diamond exports soared. Crop agriculture, seen as insignificant to economic growth, was largely abandoned, which negatively impacted food security for rural communities and women.

Agroecology: A Promising Alternative

The failures of conventional agricultural practices underscore the need for a radical shift in how Africa addresses its food security challenges. Agroecology, an approach that integrates natural ecological processes with farming, offers a sustainable and inclusive alternative.

Agroecology combines formal scientific research with the informal knowledge of farmers, emphasizing practices that require fewer external inputs like fertilizers. Techniques such as poly cropping—planting complementary crops together—and agroforestry—mixing crops with trees—enhance soil fertility and reduce pest problems. These methods not only boost productivity but also promote environmental sustainability.

Although no African country has fully embraced agroecology, promising examples demonstrate its potential. In Mali, for instance, farmers temporarily abandoned cotton production in 2007-2008 due to low prices. This shift led to a surge in sorghum production, which helped the country avoid the food price protests and social unrest experienced by its neighbors.

In South Africa, a few land reform projects that divided larger farms into smaller plots proved more successful in achieving food security. These examples highlight the benefits of less commercialized and more localized agricultural practices.

Why Does Africa Need an Agricultural Revolution?

Agroecology is gaining traction among African civil society organizations, such as the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and the Network of West African Farmer Organizations and Agricultural Producers. However, African governments and international donors have been slower in adopting this approach.

There are signs of change. Senegal’s former agriculture minister, Papa Abdoulaye Seck, who trained as a traditional agronomist, now supports agroecology as a viable solution for his country. Additionally, the European Union has begun funding small-scale agroecological projects in Africa.

The widespread adoption of agroecology could mark the beginning of a much-needed agricultural revolution. By prioritizing sustainable and inclusive practices, Africa can address its food security challenges while reducing its reliance on external inputs and mitigating environmental degradation.

A Turning Point

Africa’s worsening food crisis requires urgent action and a shift in perspective. Decision-makers must recognize that commercial agriculture and industrialization are not the sole solutions to food insecurity. Instead, they should embrace agroecological practices that empower farmers, enhance sustainability, and improve local food systems.

The challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities. A decolonized approach to agriculture can help Africa create a fairer and stronger food system. This era could be remembered as the turning point that ended the intellectual colonization of agronomic sciences and ushered in a new era of food security and sustainability.

As the continent grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change, conflict, and economic instability, the time for an agricultural revolution is now. Through collective efforts and a commitment to change, Africa can overcome its food crisis and build a brighter future for its people.