How Pandemic Strained Africa’s Food Systems And Economies At Large

The Pandemic has Strained Africa’s Food Systems and Economies at Large

Agriculture is a pillar of Africa’s economy, with the continent heavily dependent on the sector. It contributes 23% of the continent’s GDP and 49% of employment in the continent.

But the covid-19 pandemic has disrupted agricultural activity in the continent with considerable effect, as smallholder farmers, who contribute most of the food supply, face movement restrictions, reductions in people’s purchasing power, and other factors.

A new report concludes that youth engagement in agriculture will be essential to the continent recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

It highlights the need for investments to stimulate access to innovations to encourage young Africans to embrace agriculture to generate jobs and repair food systems hit by the pandemic.