Despite ongoing global initiatives and efforts, hunger remains to be at the helm of the world crisis. With plenty of manmade and natural disasters continuing to pose unprecedented threats to the well-being of mankind and the world food system, the number of hungry people is still high in the world requiring special intervention and approach.
The problem appears to be more dire and serious in some parts of the globe where agriculture remains largely subsistence and prone to natural disasters. There has been only limited headway in terms of expanding effective technologies and innovative ways to modernize the agriculture sector, particularly in some parts of the global south.
The worsening climate change crisis also hampers efforts to ensure food security and eradicate hunger. The dwindling global aid and mismanagement of resources also put the global target of eradicating hunger in precarious conditions.
To hit global targets and improve the food system, countries have been urged to double down work on promoting productivity, providing an agrarian population with improved technology and innovative ideas to enhance productivity. Redressing climate change, and placing the right policies have also been identified as one of the crucial focus areas that would help curtail global hunger.
Scaling up on best practices and creating a platform to exchange lessons among nations of the world can also help smooth the skids towards food sufficiency. This is being repeatedly echoed in the Hunger-Free World Conference which concluded in Addis Ababa yesterday.
The three-day World Without Hunger Conference, organized by the UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Government of Ethiopia, and the African Union (AU) with the technical assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also stressed the need to invest in global cooperation, investment in the agriculture sector.
The international conference reaffirmed that eradicating hunger requires a collective global effort while the experiences of countries like Ethiopia provide valuable lessons.
Ethiopia has found itself on the right path to making a big difference in food security. The last couple of years have seen a mammoth step forward in terms of laying the foundation for food sovereignty although much remains to be done.
From the introduction of irrigated wheat to food bounty (Yelemat Tirufat) the government has embarked on a wide range of activities that would grease the wheels of food security. These efforts have already yielded tangible fruits and received global recognition.
Speaking at the World without Hunger Conference in Addis Ababa, President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, lauded Ethiopia’s achievement of wheat self-sufficiency calling it a “beacon of hope and optimism” for Africa.
President Bio emphasized that Ethiopia’s success demonstrates the transformative potential of targeted technological interventions, institutional strengthening, and supportive policies in achieving food security.
“Ethiopia’s accomplishment is a remarkable example of what can be achieved when strategic actions are aligned,” President Bio stated. “With visionary leadership and strong political will, Africa can harness its vast arable land and growing population to secure food for all and ensure that no child goes to bed hungry.”
Amidst the success stories, there is much yet to be done in some areas to expand best practices and enhance productivity. Ethiopia’s experience in addressing hunger offers both valuable lessons and stark reminders of the challenges in the fight against food insecurity. For decades, the country has struggled with hunger and food shortages, driven by factors such as droughts, political instability, and inadequate infrastructure. However, as described in the conference, the country has already begun the journey towards food sufficiency with the last years registering solid achievements. Although the country’s experience offers a special lesson, the fight against hunger cannot be won by individual nations alone.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2024
