The Food emergency in Africa.

Rome- "Investment in agriculture is the only way to fight against hunger and to make development sustainable in Africa". Herve Lejeune said on the occasion of the Forum:"The food crisis in Africa",organized in Rome by Harambee Africa International Onlus.

Together with the serious economic and financial crisis we are now living, the ongoing food emergency, caused by the strong rise in prices, is leaving this year 962 million people malnourished,the majority in Sub Sahara Africa."This is due -according to Lejeune- to the scarce investments in agriculture by the International community".In fact,even if in general agriculture is recognized as being very important for the future of the African continent(with 70% of the population dependent on this sector) it is still very affected by low levels of productivity and technical capacities,insufficient infrastructure,bad agricultural politics and weak institutional support" However, Africa -Lejeune said- is open to great potential in terms of reserves of land and water,and many countries can increase their productivity if they receive the neccessary support. For this reason,it is essential to respect the commitments assumed at world level and to increase the investments as much on the International level as on the local and institutional level,both public and private."In the 14 African countries that are now on the way to reach the millenium goal n. 1 (reduce to half the number of people starving for the year 2012)Lejeune reminded us-,the agricultural growth has been rapid and constant, which demonstartes that it is the motor power for development".Concluding he said that "it is also sure that those countries which have achieved this great success are those that have managed to stop decades of civil war",showing that peace and political stability are essential in the reduction of hunger.