Liquid Gold or a Liquid Lifeline?: The Role of Water in Shaping Africa’s Food Landscape

Over the last couple of weeks, I looked at the metrics utilised in looking at food and water, how experiences vary across regions through the lens of Nigeria, and solutions to mitigating and adapting to water insecurity events such as droughts to preserve the food landscape. As this blog comes to a close, I wanted to give my opinion following what I have documented over the last couple of weeks. So is water ‘liquid gold or a liquid lifeline? Well, fundamentally both. Water can be viewed as both a liquid lifeline and liquid gold. Its value is undeniable for sustaining life, agriculture, and ecosystems, yet scarcity and mismanagement can make it as precious as gold.  When we are talking about food, it’s important to note that currently there is access to enough food in the world - in fact, the issue lies with the distribution. However, climate change further complicates matters, affecting agricultural patterns and exacerbating food insecurity in the form of droughts. The right to foo...

Agroforestry is an integrated land use management system that combines trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock (Nair et al, 2022). The synergy between these elements fosters ecological resilience, promotes biodiversity, and addresses pressing issues of water scarcity and food production. Some of the basic principles are as follows: Water Conservation: Agroforestry systems, by nature, enhance water conservation. The presence of trees helps reduce water runoff, allowing more water to infiltrate the soil, thus improving groundwater recharge and maintaining water availability during dry periods (Nair, 1993) . Root System Impact : Trees in agroforestry systems play a crucial role in anchoring soil. Their extensive root systems help prevent soil erosion and contribute to improved water retention, reducing the risks of water runoff and nutrient loss (Wafula et al., 2016). Shade and Microclimate Regulation : The canopy provided by trees in agroforestry systems offers shade, reducing e...