Introduction to Water and Food within Africa

 

Welcome to my blog posts on water and food in Africa. Over the next few weeks, I will be writing weekly blogs on the subset topics of water and food within Africa.

Introduction to Africa:

Before we begin this post, it is crucial to remember that Africa is a continent encompassing 54 countries, all of which have different physical environments, social and cultural practices. Africa has been subject to numerous stereotypes and assumptions. As a reader, keep an open mind and be cautious to make quick assumptions following the popular media narrative of Africa as a place of drought, famine, malnutrition and a place in need of saving (Wainaina,2019.)

As a result, the diversity in Africa’s physical environment, this blog will focus on select examples such as Egypt and Ethiopia.

The Relationship between Water and Food:

Water and food are two of the most fundamental elements needed for human survival. Water is critical through direct consumption to sustain life and it is indirectly essential for the growth and production of food (Taylor, 2004.)  Water covers 71% of the earth’s surface, only 3% of which is fresh water – 70% of freshwater withdrawals are for agricultural purposes (Kulkarni, 2011.) Therefore, the management and distribution of water resources are central global issues especially in relation to food. This is illustrated with its inclusion in the United National Sustainable Development Goal two and Goal 6, ‘ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all,’ and ‘end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture globally by 2030’ respectively (UN, 2015.)

Figure 1: Rain distribution across Africa (Masih et al, 2014)

Figure 2: Groundwater Storage across Africa (MacDonald et al, 2012)

As climate change alters the hydrological cycle, global water resources risk critical levels. Africa has the most variable precipitation levels in the world, with rainy seasons differing by country and region as seen in Figure 1 where Central Africa receives levels of 2000mm rainfall annually comparable with trivial amounts across the Sahara Desert. Furthermore, groundwater offers an extensive supply of fresh water as seen in Figure 2. Whilst sources of water are underlying factors of availability of water it is important to consider the socio-economic development of the country for example lack of infrastructure to access clean water (Damkjaer and Taylor, 2017.)

In spite of 52% of the world’s remaining arable land existing within Africa, fertile soil and water available, Africa imports over $20 billion work of food, food shortages are common and malnutrition levels remain high (Jayne et al, 2014.)  Issues of food insecurity are set to be exacerbated by current climate change predictions of weather extremes and the constantly growing population. African countries require effective resilient strategies to increase their food production through water-focused strategies in order to sustain food security and livelihoods – as 70% of the labour force of Africa is engaged in the agriculture sector (Sheffieldet al, 2014.)

This blog will aim to explore this intrinsic link between food and water, look at the necessary resilience needed to ensure food security given changing weather events, examining the relationship through the term ‘virtual water’ and looking at methods of irrigation and agriculture.  

Thank you for reading!