In this blog post, we will be looking at a series of mini case studies that I found particularly enjoyable while researching for this blog. The case studies selected are intended to represent a wide range of stakeholders that are at the forefront of leading the fight to ensuring food security in Africa.
Government and finance: Rwanda and improved governance
Many at times when we are talking about countries in Africa, I find scholars (Mazrui 1995), civil societies (Africa Renewal, United Nations 2018), foreign governments (and myself) quick to blame the corruption and poor governance as reasons for projects' failure. However, the case of Rwanda is a positive one showing how government's can lead the change particularly in attracting private investments into the country.
Rwanda has taken many measures to lessen red tape by removing the need for business to open a bank account prior to VAT registration, having proper systems in place for tax and company registrations and streamlining the processes to reduce time taken for obtaining of certification (World Bank 2018).
Many of the previous case studies we saw also mentioned land tenure issues where poorly defined land rights often led to conflict (Peters 2009) and/or the inability to carry out proper agricultural businesses (Atwood 1990). By digitising their land registry system, Rwanda has managed to approve and release land titles efficiently (Africa Development Bank 2018). Having been doing this for about 2 years now, more than 40% of lands have proper approved titles. An extended benefit of this is that with secure land, landowners themselves can then access credit for scaling of farm activity or further entrepreneurial pursuits (Ali et al. 2011).
Testament to Rwanda's success is perhaps how they risen by 11 places to 29th on the World Bank's global "Doing Business" index. Net FDI has risen from $10.5mil to $293.5 reflecting an increase in investors' confidence too (World Bank 2015).
Community engagement and training: Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund, Kenya
Forests along the hillside and wetlands around the Tana River have been used for agricultural purposes. The problem with this is that it has drastically altered the hydrological cycle of the watershed and compromised on the surface's ability to infiltrate runoff for storage. As a result, soil erosion on the surface has become a problem with soil that gets washed off entering the river and diminishing water quality. Yet there is importance and economic value brought by wetlands to the population that cannot be understated (Schuyt 2005).
The Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund changes that by using donations from both private and public sector alike to equip, educate and train an estimated 15,000 farmers on proper farming techniques needed to farm sustainably (i.e. without soil erosion) while protecting water resources, achieving higher agricultural yields and getting a stable income. For example, farmers were taught to build a vegetation buffer by the river bank that would improve agricultural resilience and protect the quality of river water.
Private donors include Coca-Cola and an electricity generating company in Kenya who recognise that the Tana river too contributes to the effectiveness of their operations (The Guardian 2016). Economically, it was also found that $10 mil investment was expected to reap benefits of more than 2.5x over the span of three decades (Apyse and Bryant 2015).
This case study exemplifies the need for governments, businesses and communities to come together to tackle problems. While community involvement need not necessarily equate to greater success or sense of ownership (Harvey and Reed 2007), it is a step forward to understanding the needs of the local without simply dismissing their needs or way of life.
Looking Abroad: Yolélé Foods
New York based chef is trying to change preferences, demands and diets of New Yorkers themselves by getting them exposed to a nutritious grain fonio. The grain is grown in the Sahel. Its roots also provide the added ecosystem benefits of capturing topsoil to prevent the expansion of the desert. While a regional staple, it is hardly eaten abroad and chef Pierre Thiam wants to change that. By creating an inducing a demand for the grain, he hopes to be able to work with these grain farmers in Sahel to sustain their livelihoods and ensure ecosystem service delivery.
Village-scale: Mikoko Pamjoa, Kenya
Initiated by the Kenya Marines and Fisheries Research Institute, the project basically entails planting 4000 seeds to help restore damaged sites. Three days of the rainy season is set aside for tree planting. Villagers from on Kenya's southern coastline village of Gazi and Makogeni come together in this exercise instead of fishing on these three days.
This large scale project has been instrumental in restoring ecosystem services where fish have spawn and mangroves grown to provide the goods needed for fuel and building material. The mangroves are also carbon sinks and this has been a source of profit for the villagers too who then sell these carbon credits that have earned them as much as $25,000 in the years between 2014-2016 (The Guardian 2016).
I got really excited reading about these case studies and wanted a repository to share them. It really does highlight the progress that countries in Africa have made. The blog may have started with more pessimistic perceptions of Africa but I'm glad over the course of maintaining this blog, I'm starting to see how much potential Africa has and how far it has come.