Some nine million people in the world will go hungry by 2050 – Report
About nine million people across the globe are estimated to go hungry by 2050, a report from Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), anti-human rights violation, advocacy and media non-governmental organisation, has said.
According to the report, majority of the affected and impoverished people are from the sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
It called for effective engagements especially between African leaders in finding realistic and sustainable solutions to the daunting challenges in the agricultural sector and growing global need for safe and nutritious food.
Mr Rapaheal Godlove Ahenu, the Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF, made the call when he addressed about 100 young people at a durbar to commemorate the 2016 International Youth Day in Sunyani.
The International Youth Day, instituted by the United Nations in 1999, is celebrated on August 12 every year, and the Day recognises the role of young people and efforts being made to ensure poverty alleviation and sustainable development in the world.
Global theme for this year’s celebration is, “The road to 2030: eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable consumption and production”.
Mr Ahenu said agriculture is identified as one of the strongest economic pillars and the nexus between agriculture development and the African continent’s ability to achieve food and nutrition security goals are inextricably linked.
He said modernised agriculture development must include the youth and world leaders need to motivate the youth to go into the sector.
This will help change the negative perception that farming is a reserve for the uneducated, unskilled, physical labourers and derives low economic returns.
Modern agriculture, Mr Ahenu said, is more than tilling the soil and animals, and offers viable career opportunities in research, environment, financial management, engineering and other technical areas for the youth to explore.
Mr Kofi Vinyo, the Managing Director of Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited (KVCL), an agric related business, called on the government to strengthen the youth in agriculture and afforestation modules of the Youth and Employment Agency.
He said if the agric sector is made attractive, it would spur the youth to accept and appreciate farming and food production as a meaningful commercial activity.
Mr Vinyo said the agric sector has numerous potentials, adding that there is the need to integrate innovative technologies like ICT and green housing into the agri-business.
Source: GNA