Africa faces critical loss of fertile land
In a New York Times article, “Loss of fertile land fuels ‘looming crisis’ across Africa,” Jeffrey Gettleman describes the rising crisis in agriculture in Africa by looking at ongoing events in one region in Kenya. In doing so, he also identifies a number of factors that are responsible for what he calls a “looming crisis.”
More than any other continent, Africans are heavily dependent upon agriculture for basic employment. Seventy percent of Africans earn their living by farming or herding, so addressing the issues facing agriculture are critical to ensuring the health of Africa’s population.
Drought is a factor that farmers nearly everywhere face, some more than others. The same is true on the African continent where drought has a long history, often driving population migration. Unpredictable and irregular rainfall also challenges farmers.
CIFOR
