Former Nigeria’s president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and ex-Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Desalegn Boshe, have warned that COVID-19 response should be focused on food security, agribusiness, and rural development.

They warned that the continent could be the worst hit from the economic fallout of COVID-19.



They estimated that 80 million Africans could be pushed into extreme poverty with the disruptions caused by COVID-19 on the food system.

The ex-African nations’ leaders gave the warning in a publication on the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s website on Thursday.

In the publication, which they co-authored, African countries were also cautioned against neglecting the rural poor.


It said, “Africa has so far escaped the worst health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the continent looks like it could be the worst hit from the economic fallout of the crisis: 80 million Africans could be pushed into extreme poverty if action is not taken. And disruptions in food systems raise the prospect of more Africans falling into hunger.

“Rural people, many of whom work on small-scale farms, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the crisis. It is therefore vital that the COVID-19 response addresses food security and target the rural poor.

“Agriculture contributes 65 per cent of Africa’s employment and 75 per cent of its domestic trade. However, the rich potential of agriculture as a tool to promote food security and fight poverty is at risk from the effects of COVID-19.”

The publication also x-rayed the importance of agriculture on the African economy, adding that efforts must be made to prevent food shortage.



It added, “The effect of restrictive measures on food trade is especially worrying, in particular for food-importing countries, but also because of the shrinking export markets for the continent’s farmers.

“African governments have defined stimulus measures to mitigate national and regional economic impacts of COVID-19. As they do, they must remember that investments in agriculture can be up to five times more poverty-reducing than investments in other sectors.

“Small farms everywhere traditionally make a huge contribution to global food security. Around the world, small-farm dominated systems produce 50 per cent of all food calories on 30 per cent of the world’s agricultural land. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, the role of small-scale farms is even more significant: 80 per cent of farms are small in most of these countries.”

Data from the World Health Organisation showed that there are over 72,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent.

A breakdown of the data showed that the African continent has recorded more than 25,000 recoveries and 2,400 deaths as of 10.30 am on Thursday.

https://punchng.com/80-million-africans-risk-extreme-poverty-after-covid-19-obasanjo-boshe/

Father of corruption.

Headquarters of poverty

The power and ingenuity of the HUMAN SPIRIT will overcome the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic like it did against such global tragedies in the past.

Tissaia:
Father of corruption.

It's unfortunate that you are an ignorant person.

Lalasticlalabos:


It's unfortunate that you are an ignorant person.

Lalasticlalabos, what a name?

i know that i am not among them

Many are willing to talk about the next doom to befall Nigeria/Africa, only few are willing to talk about the next biggest things to uplift her.

SouthNigerian:
Many are willing to talk about the next doom to befall Nigeria/Africa, only few are willing to talk about the next biggest things to uplift her.

People always come out of depression stronger, why many will sink, some will become richer. I fall into the later part.

JAOS:
i know that i am not among them

Amin ati emi na!

Yee because many people lost their jobs, businesses are not that moving fine

iwaeda:

Amin ati emi na!

please interprete

If you have in excess, please help with the little you can... it's really a trying time for most and has rendered them speechless.

iwaeda:


People always come out of depression stronger, why many will sink, some will become richer. I fall into the later part.

Many of our brothers are wallowing in poverty because the so-called "Rich" have failed to imbibe the charitable Legacy.

Even in your quest to become Rich, always remember the "less priviledged". They are our main responsibility. Good Luck.

It is not really easy oh
May God help us all

SouthNigerian:


Many of our brothers are wallowing in poverty because the so-called "Rich" have failed to imbibe the charitable Legacy.

Even in your quest to become Rich, always remember the "less priviledged". They are our main responsibility. Good Luck.

Your many of your brothers wallow in poverty due to their own personal ignorance. The rich is not responsible for the poor. Infact nobody is responsible for you.

While the poor is shouting COVID-19, Stay at home while consuming morning, afternoon night.. The rich to be are re-strategizing on how to safely continue their hustle and keep producing what the fearful would end up consuming.

The fearful, spending but not earning would end up poor, start begging online for giveaway, complain that the govt is not giving Palliative... Give him money... He go back to consumption and the money still end up at the hand of the producer

SouthNigerian:


Many of our brothers are wallowing in poverty because the so-called "Rich" have failed to imbibe the charitable Legacy.

Even in your quest to become Rich, always remember the "less priviledged". They are our main responsibility. Good Luck.

Never become a liability to anyone in life, dont expect, look unto God for help.

This may be a conservative figure

Hunger is worst than convid-19. Nigerians can survive corona virus but most Nigerians will die of hunger

Mynd44 & Dominique