Shaping the Future of Food Markets in Africa
What types of markets do we need for the transition to agro-ecology?
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa AFSA held its 3rd biennial virtual food systems conference on the 27th, 28th and 29th of October 2020 around the theme of the future of food markets in Africa. The event was the first of its kind in terms of outreach, content and participation, with thousands of people engaged in discussions, competitions and celebrations.
The climate emergency and the COVID 19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of new approaches in the way food is processed, distributed and marketed in Africa. The conference outlined the challenges facing traditional African markets and how strengthening them is an essential part of the transition to agro-ecology. During the conference, the characteristics of African markets were examined, assessing their strengths and weaknesses so that together we can imagine and describe those of the markets of the future. These then formed the basis for an advocacy strategy around markets and marketing, linked to the transition to agroecology.
One of the major changes observed has been a real public awareness of the link between food and health, an observation accentuated by the COVID19 crisis. A growing number of people have begun to appreciate naturally produced healthy foods. They have begun to value diversity in their diets and have begun to move away from processed foods. They have become much more aware of the importance of nutrition that is essential for good health.
For years, there was a perception that development was geared toward supermarkets and that support for African markets was very weak. They were tolerated but not supported. This began to change as AFSA and its members, along with other organizations, pushed for change across the continent. This recognition was accompanied by a range of services that addressed many of the weaknesses identified, such as: poor infrastructure, lack of quality control, flooding with outside products, and poor packaging, to name a few.
The promotion of agro-ecological products involves raising consumer awareness on healthy food, product labeling and smart price reduction. Territorial markets make it possible to protect the environment with less distance between producers and consumers, taking into account good road infrastructure to solve the problem of accessibility and price for consumers.
These markets are decentralized, diverse, inclusive and multi-functional and will have the potential to generate close to $3 billion by 2030 according to a study of informal markets in Zimbabwe.
The conference was able to highlight several recommendations and areas of advocacy for territorial markets. They are broken down into 4 components:
Research,
It is important to have a detailed understanding of territorial markets in Africa so as to know their typology, price structuring, to understand why they are not recognized and the actions to be taken to remedy them, to support their added value and to improve food monitoring and traceability.
Advocacy on :
Local governments to recognize and invest in the structuring and management of local markets
The protection of the rights of traders and consumers through the introduction of protective measures and incentives to purchase such as participatory guarantee systems that ensure the origin and authenticity of agro-ecological products.
Investments in markets including buildings and storage facilities and biodegradable packaging;
Mobilization to encourage African social movements to incorporate this issue into their agendas
Encourage and mobilize local farmers and consumers to urge governments to improve services in markets.
Education
Consumer education on the importance of healthy and nutritious food for healthy eating and the importance of territorial food/markets to the local economy
To sensitize the traders on hygiene and preservation of food products
For three days, experts, researchers and African civil society organizations exchanged on the understanding and trends of African markets, the future of markets for the transition to agro-ecology, and policy changes on markets and hot food systems. A conference marked by community celebration videos on seeds and food filmed in 8 countries in South, East, West, Central and North Africa.
In Senegal, under the coordination of CICODEV Africa, AFSA members showed in a video how seeds and cultural knowledge were central to the life of the communities of Séléky, a village in southern Casamance.
By Khady Thiané Ndoye, Program Officer for Sustainable Access to Healthy and Nutritious Food at CICODEV