Empowering Global Food Security: Unveiling the Potential of India-Africa Collaboration
India is currently hosting the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) from August 2-7 in Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the guest of honor. This significant event marks India’s second time hosting ICAE, the first being in Mysore in 1958. The conference provides a unique platform to explore and enhance India-Africa collaboration in agricultural development and food security.
Historical Roots and Modern Relevance
The ICAE’s origins trace back to India, with its founding president, Lord L.K. Elmhirst, and his collaboration with Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore’s vision of improving village life through scientific agriculture and education laid the groundwork for ICAE. The conference has since evolved into a critical forum for addressing global food and nutritional security challenges, particularly relevant in today’s context of climate change and geopolitical instability.
Challenges in Food and Nutritional Security
The African continent continues to grapple with food shortages and nutritional deficiencies, particularly among children under five. India, despite its success in the Green and White Revolutions, faces similar challenges in ensuring nutritional security. The ICAE provides a valuable opportunity for India and Africa to share their experiences and strategies for improving food security and nutritional outcomes.
Insights from the ICAE Study: India vs. Africa
A special session at ICAE is dedicated to comparing the agricultural experiences of 20 major Indian states with 15 African countries from 2004-05 to 2019-20. Key findings from this study highlight several critical areas for improvement:
- Debt and Agricultural Spending: High debt service ratios in African countries lead to lower agricultural spending compared to social protection, impacting agricultural productivity and child nutrition.
- Underfunding of Agriculture: African countries consistently underfund agriculture relative to Indian states, hindering efforts to reduce child malnutrition and improve productivity.
- Investment in R&D and Extension: Both regions underinvest in agricultural research and development (R&D) and extension services, which are crucial for boosting productivity and enhancing child nutrition.
- Reforming Subsidies and Allocating Resources: The study suggests reallocating resources from subsidies to infrastructure and R&D to foster agricultural growth and improve nutritional outcomes.
- Poverty Reduction and Social Spending: Effective agricultural investment can reduce poverty and minimize the need for social spending. While food hand-outs are essential during crises, they should not undermine growth and job creation in rural areas.
Global Perspectives and the Path Forward
Globally, achieving the United Nations’ goal of zero hunger by 2030 appears increasingly challenging due to ongoing conflicts, climate crises, and economic slowdowns. A recent study by the University of Bonn (ZEF), Germany, and FAO highlights the need for an additional $21 billion annually in agricultural and rural investments to end global hunger by 2040.
India’s G20 presidency last year, followed by Brazil’s this year, has made significant strides in addressing global food security and hunger. The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member during India’s presidency has opened new avenues for South-South collaboration. This collaboration is crucial for sharing knowledge and resources to tackle food and nutritional security challenges effectively.
Strengthening South-South Collaboration
The G20 presidencies of Indonesia, India, Brazil, and South Africa between 2022 and 2025 reflect a shift towards more inclusive governance of global food systems. The Global South, which includes Africa and South Asia, represents nearly 3 billion people and stands to benefit significantly from enhanced international cooperation.
Developed G20 countries can support the Global South by addressing climate change through resilience initiatives and sharing scientific innovations for food system transformations. Investments in climate resilience and bioeconomy are vital for adapting and mitigating the impacts of climate change, benefiting from global investments including the Global Climate Fund.
Conclusion: A Call for Collective Action
The ICAE conference underscores the urgent need for strengthened India-Africa collaboration to address global food security and nutritional challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership can play a pivotal role in advancing this agenda, ensuring that agricultural policies and international collaborations effectively meet the needs of nearly one-third of the world’s population. Embracing this opportunity for dynamic agri-food relations will contribute to the common good and foster a more equitable global food system.
Sunil Garnayak is an expert in Indian news with extensive knowledge of the nation’s political, social, and economic landscape and international relations. With years of experience in journalism, Sunil delivers in-depth analysis and accurate reporting that keeps readers informed about the latest developments in India. His commitment to factual accuracy and nuanced storytelling ensures that his articles provide valuable insights into the country’s most pressing issues.
