ADB to safeguard Africa's food security against COVID-19 impacts

The African Development Bank has unveiled a strategic roadmap of projects and programs to assist African countries in tackling the nutrition and food security impacts of the coronavirus crisis that has so far infected 195,939 and killed 5,334 across the continent.

"The Bank's response to support the agriculture sector lays out specific measures aimed at addressing challenges faced by African countries across all aspects of the agriculture sector. Africa cannot afford a food crisis in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic," Jennifer Blanke, the bank's vice-president for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, said.

The Feed Africa Response to Coronavirus, one part of the bank's coronavirus response strategy of up to $10 billion, paves the way for a comprehensive intervention to build resilience, sustainability and regional self-sufficiency in Africa's food systems.

This is in addition to helping farmers cope with coronavirus-related disruptions to the agricultural value chain.

A report released alongside the roadmap recommends immediate, short- and medium-term solutions for the agriculture sector, including support of food delivery for the most vulnerable, stabilization of food prices, optimization of food processing, extension support services, and provision of key agricultural inputs through smart subsidies.

According to the report, the bank will prioritize policy support to enhance movement of inputs and food to establish food security task forces in countries and to strengthen the capacity of regional organizations to monitor multi-country initiatives.

"Ensuring food security for Africans in all situations is at the core of the bank's Feed Africa Strategy. Our institution will coordinate its efforts with different stakeholders across the continent to effectively answer the needs of regional member countries," Martin Fregene, director of the bank's Agriculture and Agro-industry Department, said.

The pandemic has worsened volatility in the price of food staples and complicated food system actors' investment decision-making.

The confluence of impacts risks deepening food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the World Food Program, over 40 million West Africans face food shortages in the coming months.