Every year on October 16, the world celebrates World Food Day, an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations aimed at raising awareness about food security issues. In 2024, the theme of this day is “Right to foods for a better life and a better future.” This topic holds particular significance for Africa, a continent rich in resources but facing major challenges related to hunger and malnutrition. The Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) plays a central role in ensuring that all Africans have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
The Importance of the Right to Food in Africa
In Africa, over 282 million people suffer from hunger, and millions more are undernourished. Despite the vast agricultural resources available, economic inequalities, conflicts, and climate change exacerbate the food crisis on the continent. Recognizing the right to food is essential for ensuring equitable access to healthy food. This involves implementing policies that support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The 2024 theme highlights the importance of universal access to nutritious food to improve the quality of life for African populations. By ensuring that every individual can adequately feed themselves, we lay the groundwork for a safer and more prosperous future for all.
The Key Role of PAFO in the Fight Against Hunger
The Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation (PAFO), established in 2010, represents millions of farmers across the continent and is a key player in promoting the right to food. Indeed, through various initiatives and with the support of its partners, PAFO is effectively contributing to the achievement of this crucial objective. The pan-African farmers’ organisation actively advocates for inclusive agricultural policies that meet the needs of smallholder farmers. These policies must take into account the realities of family farming and ensure equitable access to resources. By defending farmers’ interests with governments and international organisations, PAFO ensures that the right to food is at the centre of policy discussions.
It also works to promote sustainable agriculture, a fundamental pillar of the right to food. PAFO and its member networks: EAFF, PROPAC, ROPPA, SACAU and UMNAGRI, promote practices such as agroecology that respect the environment while increasing yields. These methods help farmers to produce food sustainably, thereby contributing to food security.
And for the right to food to be effective, it is vital to strengthen the resilience of farmers. PAFO works to provide access to technologies, training and financial services that enable farmers to better cope with climatic and economic risks. This not only strengthens their productive capacity, but also ensures their food security. PAFO also promotes agricultural entrepreneurship, especially among young people and women. PAFO encourages farmers to develop sustainable enterprises that enhance food security. This helps to create jobs and improve farmers’ incomes.
It is clear that the development of agricultural value chains is crucial to ensuring access to markets and reducing post-harvest losses. In this context, PAFO and its member networks are working to improve infrastructure to facilitate farmers’ access to markets. A robust value chain maximises farmers’ incomes while ensuring better food availability.
A Better Future through the Right to Food
World Food Day 2024 presents a crucial opportunity to raise awareness and take action in favor of the right to food in Africa. Through its actions and advocacy, PAFO is an essential actor in ensuring that this right is respected and promoted. By supporting smallholder farmers and advocating for inclusive policies, PAFO helps build a future where everyone has access to nutritious food, which is vital for a better life. The ultimate goal is to realize the vision of a hunger-free continent where the right to food is a reality for all.