Africa urged to boost domestic funding for food security as climate risks mount

Nairobi, Kenya - African leaders have called for increased domestic funding in food security and nutrition programs, warning that climate change, poor water management, and insufficient investment are jeopardizing the continent's food systems. At the 17th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, officials urged governments to shift from policy commitments to allocating resources towards climate-smart agriculture, nutritious local foods, school feeding programs, and bolstering markets for smallholder farmers.

The World Food Programme's George Esunge Fominyen emphasized that water, food security, and nutrition must be viewed as interconnected issues, not isolated policy priorities. He warned that climate shocks and water scarcity could worsen hunger and malnutrition, especially in regions already impacted by conflict, displacement, and economic struggles.

Fominyen advocated for coordinated efforts linking water management, climate-resilient agriculture, food markets, social protection, and improved national institutions.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono argued for a transformation in how African nations approach food production, urging a move away from nutrition-poor diets dominated by starchy foods toward more diverse and nutrient-rich meals. He challenged the notion of water scarcity, asserting that the continent lacked the problem, but rather a lack of effective water management. Rono highlighted water harvesting as a crucial intervention to bolster agricultural production amid volatile weather patterns.

Delegates urged governments and development partners to expand young people's access to agricultural resources, technology, markets, and employment opportunities. Nhlawulo Shikwambane, representing youth representatives, stressed the importance of including young people in shaping agricultural policies and investment decisions. She called for translating commitments into tangible investments that bolster local food systems, support farmers, and generate opportunities for young people and women.

The World Health Organization's Kenya Country Manager Betty Lanyero stressed the nexus between health and agriculture, calling for nutrition to be integrated into public budgets and increased investment in locally produced nutritious foods and child nutrition. She emphasized the need for stronger accountability, domestic financing, and cross-sector partnerships to transform food security strategies into measurable improvements in household nutrition, agricultural productivity, and overall economic resilience.