The Challenge of Managing the Water and Food Problem in Africa

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In previous posts on this blog, I have explored some solutions to the water scarcity and food insecurity problem in Africa. These solutions include water conservation through erosion control, adopting geo-mapping technology to aid borehole-drilling, investment in irrigation, and technology adoption in water distribution. This post will address some of the challenges faced in managing the water and food problem in Africa

Allocation

Historically, the problem of water scarcity in Africa has been more severe in the rural areas of Africa. Research on water scarcity has also predominantly focused on the challenges faced by those in rural areas in gaining access to clean. Allocation is a significant challenge in the management of water scarcity with authorities faced with the decision of how to distribute the scarce resource across a rapidly expanding population within their countries. An emerging trend concerning allocation is worsening situation involving the quality and availability of water in urban areas due to fluctuations in the freshwater resources (Dos Santos et al., 2017). Authorities charged with water distribution in Africa have to assess how to make optimal allocation decisions to meet expanding demand linked to population growth and deplorable sanitary conditions. Achieving the right level of allocation constitutes a significant challenge in water management forcing many municipal authorities to resort to water rationing strategies especially in urban areas (Dos Santos et al., 2017). Implementing water cuts allows water companies to supply running water intermittently to curb shortages. 

 

 

Climate Change

Climate change constitutes a significant challenge in the management of water scarcity and food security in Africa. This blog has been able to establish in previous posts that the conservation of water resources is very cost-effective and sustainable in managing water scarcity through treating and recycling wastewater. However, climate change poses a serious challenge to the management of the water problem in Africa. Countries encounter numerous hurdles when attempting to collect and share information related to climate change and its effects on water resources. Climate change also degrades irrigated lands as increased temperatures lead to soil acidification and desertification in arid areas, which decreases overall agricultural productivity affecting the ability of authorities to manage the food problem in Africa (Hamed et al., 2018). Furthermore, climate change has increased the occurrence and intensity of natural calamities forcing countries to invest significant resources in studying the impact of these calamities. The majority of developing countries lack the resources required to invest in constructing the infrastructure required to counteract the effects of climate change (Misra, 2014). Cumulatively, these challenges the impact of climate change on water resources in Africa and the subsequent problems it generates in managing water scarcity.

Volatility in Food Prices

A significant challenge in the management of the food problem in Africa is the volatility in food prices. Price volatility underscores the extent of price fluctuations or the risk of unexpected price changes. Concerns regarding price volatility have a close connection with food security (Kalkuhl et al., 2016). Despite the efforts of governments and international organizations in managing the food security problem a large section of the population remains affected by food and nutrition insecurity because of volatile food prices.  High food prices disproportionately affect the poor because they spend an estimated two-thirds of their income on purchasing food meaning that price fluctuations affect their ability to meet their nutritional needs. Food price fluctuations produce long-term effects especially among children primarily through nutritional damage (Kalkuhl et al., 2016). Price dynamics are instrumental in understanding the challenge of managing the food security problem in Africa.

Despite the efforts made in addressing the water and food problem in Africa, the authorities charged with the responsibility of managing these problems encounter numerous challenges. Water scarcity in urban areas is an emerging problem that warrants closer attention especially since it creates a serious problem of allocation. The effects of climate change also complicate the food production process in irrigation by decreasing soil quality through acidification whilst increasing the occurrence of natural calamities. Governments and international bodies also have to invest substantial resources in researching and dealing with climate change, which redirects those resources from more urgent needs.  Finally, a significant challenge faced in managing the food problem is price volatility, which affects the ability of poor families to afford food leading to long-term malnourishment for children.

 

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