Kenya to become net food importer by 2050, experts warn

Kenya: Kenya is among African countries likely to starting importing more than three quarters of food required to feed the population by 2050 due to effects of climate change.

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Centre Africa, a regional leader in agricultural research and development for improved livelihoods, predicts that the continent's ability to produce food will be affected by the effects of the climate change.

Deputy Executive Director Francis Wachira said agriculture sector will suffer most from increasing temperature which is picking up by 0.2 degrees centigrade per decade, making consumers - due to their reduced purchasing power - unable to procure scarce food in the local market.

"Recent studies by various institutions indicate that the agriculture sector is suffering greatly from the effects of global warming. If the countries fail to employ tough measures to adapt and mitigate climate change, food production ability and supply will be reduced to 13 per cent," said Prof Wachira during the opening of an international conference on 'Research Evidence and Research-Policy Linkages for Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa' at a Nairobi hotel.

import bill

He hinted that since about 87 per cent of food needed will be imported, this will affect the import bill and high cost of doing business. "The anticipated food deficit will plunge the continent into serious challenges like grinding poverty, low development pace, insecurity, and food insecurity."

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei said with many resources needed for sustainable food security already stretched, food security challenges are huge. "Climate change will make it even harder to overcome them, as it will result in reduced productivity of the majority of existing food systems and negatively impact the livelihoods of those already vulnerable to food insecurity," he said.