About the Nutrition Sector.

Nutrition: Nutrition is one of the key sectors of practice for AEFID, as it reflects the organization’s commitment to promote food security, nutrition, and sustainable development for Africa and its people. AEFID recognizes that nutrition is essential for human well-being, poverty reduction, and environmental protection. AEFID also acknowledges the challenges and opportunities that Africa faces in the nutrition sector, such as the impacts of climate change, population growth, urbanization, conflicts, and trade.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Africa is home to more than 1.3 billion people, of whom 256 million are undernourished and 59 million are acutely food insecure. The continent also hosts the largest number of smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of its food supply, but face multiple constraints such as low productivity, limited access to inputs, markets, and finance, and exposure to shocks and stresses. Moreover, Africa is the most vulnerable region to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, which threaten to undermine its natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.

Africa also has many opportunities and potentials to improve its nutrition outcomes and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food security, nutrition, and sustainable development. The continent has a vast and diverse land area, with 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, and a rich and varied agro-ecological and cultural heritage. Africa also has the potential to harness the power of innovation and technology, such as digital agriculture, biotechnology, and renewable energy, to improve its food and agriculture systems and create solutions that are adapted to its context and needs. Furthermore, Africa can benefit from the increased collaboration and partnership among its countries, regions, and stakeholders, as well as with the international community, to share best practices, mobilize resources, and coordinate actions.