An Introduction to water and food in Africa

In the rich tapestry of the African continent, water serves as both a life-giving force and a central challenge in the pursuit of sustainable food production. Despite Africa's vast endowment with 9% of the world's total freshwater resources, translating this natural capital into agricultural productivity presents a complex puzzle. With a per capita availability of 5,000 cubic meters per year (FAO, 2003), the continent's water wealth appears abundant. Yet, the reality on the ground paints a contrasting picture of scarcity and uneven distribution.

The landscape of African agriculture is predominantly shaped by the rhythms of the rain. In the sub-Saharan expanse, where the green vegetation owes its vibrancy to the seasonal downpours, only about 4% of the arable land benefits from the assurance of irrigation (Giordano, 2006). This figure may not fully encapsulate the efforts of small-scale irrigators, but it underscores a stark reliance on rain-fed agriculture that dominates the food production systems across the continent.

Despite the limited irrigated acreage, a staggering 83% of Africa's freshwater withdrawals are devoted to agriculture, suggesting that the regions that do employ irrigation use it with high intensity. This is a testament to the sector's crucial role in the continent's socio-economic fabric and the dire need for water efficiency and management. In the upcoming entries of this blog series, we will delve deeper into the contrasting paradigms shaping the future of agriculture in Africa, focusing on the intensification of water use in irrigated farming versus the widespread, low-intensity practices of smallholder farmers.

Groundwater, an often-overlooked component of water resources, emerges as a hidden asset, supplying around 40% of the water that sustains both irrigation systems and the provision of safe drinking water, as per Jarvis in 2013. The intrinsic quality of groundwater, shielded from the contaminating influences that frequently plague surface water, renders it a valuable yet underappreciated resource in Africa's environmental and agricultural dialogues.

At the intersection of water management and food production lies the critical goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. This accentuates the critical need to tackle water conservation and food provision concurrently, as the two are inextricably linked; efficient water management is not only fundamental to increasing agricultural productivity but also essential for achieving food security. Adequate and reliable water supplies are vital for both crop and livestock production, which form the backbone of food security in Africa. Without sustainable water practices, the stability of food supplies falters, and the spectre of hunger looms, highlighting water's pivotal role in the fulfilment of food security on the continent.

As we delve into the interwoven issues of water and food in Africa, we are confronted with the paradox of potential versus practicality. The continent's struggle with water scarcity amidst seeming abundance and the quest for food security supported by a fragile water infrastructure are themes that will echo throughout this discussion. In this blog, we will explore these dynamics, understand the challenges, celebrate the successes, and contemplate the path forward towards a more water-secure and food-secure Africa.

A great video highlighting some of the water related obstacles faced by small holder famers in Africa through the daily life of the Traoré family.