Farouk Gumel - Hunger and Poverty – A way out through inclusive value chain development

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Farouk Gumel- In September 2015, the United
Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development that includes 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The first
two goals were "No poverty and Zero Hunger".
These Are problems common to all nations although
its severity differs in each nation and region.
FAO data shows Africa as the region most impacted
by hunger and malnutrition.
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Apart from the obvious fact that we all need food
to live, hunger and malnutrition also have other
adverse and long-term socioeconomic consequences
such as poor health, under education and
insecurity. It is a fact that Chronic
undernutrition hinders the growth and wellbeing
of children under five years old. As these
children grow, they will continue to have health
and/or learning difficulties.
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The question is how can one achieve this
ambitious goal? In Africa, many approaches are
being applied. Somesee poverty and hunger
eradication as simply donating and distributing
food and medicines. Others Focus on providing
grants in cash or kind. We also have some who
focus on education and skill development. So far,
these various approaches have resulted in
pockets of success. But with a 2.5 population
growth rate and over 40 of the population living
below the poverty line, the pocket approach to
success may not necessarily be impactful.
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Although the data presented above is disturbing,
it is not too late to stop and even reverse this
trend. We can, with the right focus, bring
massive employment into Africa. With such
employment, we can bring prosperity to millions.
With such prosperity, families will be fed and
children will get educated. With an educated and
well-nourished society, peace will surely reign.
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The quickest way to create massive employment is
through agriculture. This, by the way, is also
how the continent can eliminate hunger and
malnutrition. Many say this is easier said than
done. But the reality is, no one ever said it
would be easy to uplift and transform over 500
million people from poverty to prosperity. This
is an evolutionary journey.The concept of an
overnight agricultural revolution will not
achieve, at least in a sustainable manner, the
goals of poverty and hunger eradication. In this
evolution, both leaders and citizens must align
in their thinking and set realistic and
achievable goals that are inclusive.
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Most of the revolutionary programs introduced
to (or imposed onto) Africans arenot sustained or
sustainable. This is simply because in many
instances, they are not inclusive or, the design
failed to consider many cultural or socioeconomic
factors. So an inclusive and consultative
approach, with a long term view, is the only way
to address the problem of hunger and poverty.
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Already, many companies in Africa such as
Dangote, Olam, OCP and TGI Group are aggressively
investing in an Inclusive Value Chain Development
approach for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Farouk Gumel, a Group Executive Director for
Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group, said his
company has invested millions of dollars in out
grower farming programs for rice paddy, soya
beans and maize in Nigeria. He said these
programs supply raw materials to TGIs rice mill,
multi seed oil crushing facilities and poultry
farms. Farouk Gumel states that through these
ventures, TGI's outgrower farmers get quality
data and inputs during the land clearing and
planting period as well as support during
harvesting. TGI also gives guaranteed offtake
agreement to the farmers. These offtake
agreements enable the farmers to borrow funds for
the enhancement and expansion of their
operations. According to Farouk Gumel, farmer
incomes have gradually been increasing enabling
them to provide better quality education and
health care to their families. If similar
programs continue to be introduced and expanded,
the goal of eradicating poverty and hunger is
surely achievable.
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