Unlocking the potential of indigenous foods to combat malnutrition in Eastern Africa

Parliamentarians drawn from eight Eastern Africa nations agreed to promote policies and legislations that boost the production and consumption of African traditional, indigenous, nutritious, forgotten foods, as well as non-wood forest products.

Aiming at empowering communities to withstand severe food insecurity and malnutrition, parliamentarians, drawn from Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda and the legislative arms of two Regional Economic Communities: East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD-IPU)  outlined actions that help ensure better nutrition through the promotion of climate-resilient indigenous crops and livestock species.

The Eastern Africa Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (EAPA FSN), in its 6th General Assembly and capacity development activity, recapped the fact that the Eastern Africa subregion continues to be the epicentre of drought, malnutrition and famine, leaving millions of people including smallholders, pastoralists and fisheries, in dire conditions.

Subsequently, the members of the Alliance called for urgent action that would propel positive changes in the lives of vulnerable communities through the advancement of legislative actions for the production and widespread use of indigenous foods and non-wood products.

The Rt. Honourable Anita Annet Among, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, in her keynote remarks, delivered by Rt. Honourable Robina Gureme Rwakoojo, Member of Parliament for Gomba West County, pointed out that the Assembly was at a pivotal moment in the history of food security in Eastern Africa.

“Across the subregion, millions continue to suffer from malnutrition in all its forms – from undernutrition to obesity and from micronutrient deficiencies to diet-related diseases. These challenges are compounded by climate change, which is increasingly affecting food production, and making the food systems less predictable and more fragile,” noted Hon. Among.

In response to these challenges, Hon. Among said, parliamentarians can turn to the rich diversity of indigenous foods that our ancestors have cultivated and consumed for centuries. These foods are often more resilient to the changing climate, require fewer external inputs, and hold immense nutritional value.

Hon. Adan Haji Yusuf, the Chairperson of EAPA-FSN and an active member of the Kenyan Parliament, emphasized the pivotal role of parliamentarians in the fight against severe food insecurity and malnutrition.

“The legislative, budgetary, and oversight responsibilities uniquely position fellow members of parliamentarians to elevate the importance of food security and nutrition to the highest levels of the political and legislative agenda. Achieving food security and nutrition necessitates the active participation of parliamentarians, which, in turn, requires substantial support and coordination in the subregion,” stressed Hon. Yusuf.

Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), ad interim, underscored the pressing concerns over the food insecurity and malnutrition situation in Eastern Africa. She reminded parliamentarians that even though the subregion hosts less than 25 percent of the African population, it accounts for almost 50 percent of the undernourished people in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Transparent and stable policies, legal frameworks, and incentives at country and regional levels are essential to enhancing responsible investment in agriculture and food systems. These legal frameworks can only be enabled if “change agents” are aware of the critical role that responsible investments play in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of eradicating poverty and hunger. Parliamentarians hold a strategic position as they can inform political and legislative agendas to foster more and better investment in agriculture,” said Zimudzi.

Furthermore, Zimudzi reaffirmed FAO’s unwavering commitment to the Alliance in its effort to promote the “right to food” principles and galvanize a just world where the most vulnerable communities in the subregion have access to affordable, nutritious foods.

During its 6th Assembly Meeting, the Alliance re-elected its Executive Body, with members from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda and with the two Regional Economic Communities, EALA and IGAD-IPU, bestowing responsibility to lead the Alliance in its effort to foster a better investment in food security and nutrition.

At the end, the parliamentarians visited the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), which has provided advanced technologies and tailored solutions to farmers in the agrifood systems over the years.

Worrying state of food security and nutrition

Globally, between 713 and 757 million people faced hunger in 2023 that is 1 in 11 people in the world; and 1 in 5 people in Africa, which accounts for about 20.4 percent, or nearly 300 million people. It is estimated that by 2030, about 53 percent of the global population facing hunger will be in Africa. The Eastern African subregion will continue to be the hotspot of hunger and malnutrition unless concerted measures are taken.

Climate change and conflicts continue to be the major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition in Eastern Africa. They are leading to a breakdown of agrifood systems, resulting in the loss of rural livelihoods, income, and ecosystems.