1 min
In his weekly column Letter to my Farmers, Babatunde Olarewajo discusses his personal experiences and insights on farming, curated through working with smallholder farmers in Africa. In this weeks letter, Babatunde discusses food safety, food security, and the future of Africa. One of his previous letter is available here. Babatunde, who is an expert on farming in Africa, will share his letters as from now on AgriFoodNetworks.
In 2020, the WHO stated that unsafe food includes harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical substances that cause more than 200 diseases, and it is becoming very alarming. Sadly, an estimated 600 million fall ill after consuming contaminated food and 420,000 die every year. Thus, there is a need for urgent measures to be put in place to reduce the impact of unsafe food, especially in developing countries.
It is pertinent that these standards are demand driven. Therefore, more work needs to be done in policy implementation that protects the consumers and guarantees them consistent quality and safe agricultural produce at all times. We need to do more for ourselves and the World at large, as the future depends on Africa to provide adequate and sufficient food.
Yours-in-service
Babatunde
Babatunde in a field of hibiscus flower in Jigawa State, Nigeria.
There is a need for urgent measures to be put in place to reduce the impact of unsafe food, especially in developing countriesIn Africa, the majority of healthy and safe agricultural produce is being exported to Europe, leaving the junk of "unsafe" produce to be consumed locally. This is becoming a trend/norm that should be checked. There is a need to develop standards for value chain actors (especially small holder farmers) locally to reduce incessant unsafe food. It is interesting to know that the means to achieve safe food is hinged on certifications being managed by private organizations (private standards), and regulated by government and other relevant agricultural stakeholders. Certifications provide a level of assurance to consumers that food being produced follows laydown processes and procedures that guarantee the sustainability of food and the environment. This would always be a big win.
It is pertinent that these standards are demand driven. Therefore, more work needs to be done in policy implementation that protects the consumers and guarantees them consistent quality and safe agricultural produce at all times. We need to do more for ourselves and the World at large, as the future depends on Africa to provide adequate and sufficient food.
Yours-in-service
Babatunde
Babatunde in a field of hibiscus flower in Jigawa State, Nigeria.