Impact of global food and agriculture laws on Africa’s food security

Abstract

This study considers expanding beyond the current collective understanding of research on the impact of global food and agriculture laws on Africa’s food security. This paper aims to answer two basic questions: are the current global food and agriculture laws capable of facilitating and supporting the goal of ending hunger in Africa and increasing food security; will the existing global food law promote fair and equitable food production and supply practices to benefit all who need it? This paper will answer the questions by using a qualitative approach to Africa’s experience in dealing with the existing global food and agriculture laws. This will provide insight into understanding the law, the behaviour of society and the outcome of the application of the law in real life. This will enable us to identify the gap in the global food law addressing food security. The qualitative data in the study will help the in-depth explanation, exploration and understanding of the root cause of food insecurity. This is significant because of the growing tension between population growth and the demand for food which are incompatible, especially in Africa. Currently, Africa’s population is estimated to be 1.3 billion people1 and food production is not sufficient to feed the people. Of the almost 800 million people who are considered to be living with chronic hunger globally, the majority are from Africa.2 A contemporary study suggests that the population growth in Africa is expected to double to 2.4 billion by 2050.3 The question we have to ask here is if we cannot feed the current population, how can we feed the ever growing population and what can be done to overcome the deficit? This paper has sought to expose the primary gaps in the existing global food and agriculture laws, weakness and constrains. It is argued that the primary failing of the current global food and agriculture law in addressing food security should be tackled with great concern. It was found that negotiations on agriculture and food at various international forums should bear partial responsibility for the lack of commitment, consistency and transparency in addressing food security. In order to resolve the issue, it is argued that appropriate change in the system is needed, to ensure the fair distribution of benefits and burdens in society. The global food and agriculture law should, therefore, be able to provide a clear method to determine the future global food security.