By Ayele Addis Ambelu
The Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference highlighted the pressing need to address the interlinked debt, poverty, and hunger crises to build resilient agroecological food systems. According to the presentation “Breaking the Cycle of Debt, Poverty, and Hunger to Build Resilient Agroecological Food Systems,” the region is grappling with historically high food prices and rising global hunger levels despite a slight decrease from the 2022 peak.
The Debt and Hunger Crisis
The conference underscored the severity of the debt crisis, noting that 60% of low-income countries are at high risk of or already experiencing debt distress. Specifically, 21 countries, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, are nearing catastrophic levels of both debt distress and food insecurity. This situation is exacerbated by global public debt being at its highest level in nearly sixty years, with debt servicing costs for the world’s poorest countries increasing by 35% in 2022.
One notable point from the presentation is that debt servicing in low-income countries exceeds core social spending by 125%, significantly hampering their ability to invest in sustainable food production and climate resilience. High import costs for food, fertilizer, and energy, combined with rapidly rising interest rates and depreciating currencies, further aggravate the situation.
Changing Creditor Dynamics
The presentation highlighted a significant shift in low-income countries’ creditor makeup. In 2022, 47% of external debt payments were made to private lenders, 12% to China, 14% to other governments, and 27% to multilateral institutions. This diversification of creditors complicates debt restructuring and relief efforts, making it harder for these countries to navigate their financial crises.
Unsustainable Food Systems
A key insight from the conference is the role of unsustainable and inequitable food systems in driving rising debt and hunger. The current food systems expose countries critically to shocks and undermine their capacity to invest in sustainable, climate-resilient food production. This vicious cycle of debt and hunger necessitates urgent reforms to build more resilient and equitable food systems.
Recommendations for Breaking the Cycle
The presentation concluded with recommendations to break the unsustainable food systems, hunger, and debt cycle. While specific recommendations were not detailed in the excerpt, the emphasis was on comprehensive reforms and international cooperation to address these interlinked crises.
The full special report, available at www.ipes-food.org/pages/debtfoodcrisis, provides a more detailed analysis and comprehensive recommendations.
In summary, the Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference shed light on the critical need to address the intertwined issues of debt, poverty, and hunger through sustainable and resilient agroecological food systems. The conference’s insights and recommendations are essential for policymakers, international organizations, and stakeholders committed to fostering sustainable development and food security in the region.
