In the context of increasing food security, more sustainable and resilient food systems will ensure people have access to safe, nutritious, and healthy food while preserving the environment. At the beginning of October 2022, The Youth Cafe, Foraus and other partners discussed Food Systems Challenges and Policy Solutions in the Eastern African region. This article states the main challenge areas and solution pathways for decision-makers.

Food Security and One Health-why it matters

Leading UN bodies and specialised news outlets reported that food security will be a crucial issue in East Africa in 2022, with over 50 million people expected to face acute food insecurity. This is not only due to the geopolitical crisis situation the world has been facing since the Russian aggression in Ukraine but is linked more largely to the predominant approach in exploiting natural habitats and negative externalities resulting from conventional agri-food systems. One Health offers interesting perspectives for a more holistic approach in this context.

While One Health is not a new concept, it has become increasingly relevant in recent years due to global population growth, increased movement of people and animals, climate change, and the growing exploitation of land through practices linked to intensive farming, causing deforestation and biodiversity loss at large. In short, the “One Health” approach addresses public health from a perspective that encompasses the well-being of every living organism. As human health is closely connected with the health of animals and the environment, considering the interlinkage between these three is key in defining sustainable policy solutions.

Challenges Faced by actors in the Region

1. Acaricide failure

As reported by participants, acaricide resistance, pesticides used to kill ticks and mites, is a major challenge in Uganda as it is associated with economic losses in farming as farmers face increasing costs to buy acaricides and treat sick animals. This natural phenomenon is accelerated by several factors such as improper dilution of acaricides, improper storage, prolonged use of a specific class of acaricide, and the use of counterfeit products. Farmers are reported to have doubled the concentrations used and added herbicides to acaricide formulations. These concentrations can be destructive to the environment and even cause cancers in livestock and humans who are exposed.

2. Demographic pressure and related consequences for natural habitat and protected areas

Eastern Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050 (together with the Southern African region). This demographic pressure has direct implications for human habitat destruction as more land is needed for food production (according to FAO agricultural expansion accounts for nearly 90% of global deforestation, destroying wildlife habitat, generating more interactions with humans, and increasing the likelihood of the spread of diseases between wild animals and humans.

3. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

AMR is common in both humans and livestock and has been accelerated by factors like; antimicrobials being readily available over the counter in pharmacies, people not adhering to recommended dosages, and people not adhering to livestock withdrawal periods after administration of the drugs. AMR has led to people suffering an increased burden from diseases that could have otherwise been avoided. 

4. Communication and awareness

Local farmers and communities can significantly participate in nature conservation and sustainable land use. However, poor community engagement and awareness, non-acknowledgement and understanding of the One Health concept, lack of consideration for intergenerational equity, trust issues, and a spread perception that conservation practices are expensive, hence making it difficult to convince local farmers to take measures to conserve nature and practice sustainable land use. Lack of awareness in these areas might negatively affect current and future health issues and negatively impact the next generations. The concept of how agricultural land use affects health and development is not fully incorporated in government deliberations and is not a public policy priority. Lastly, corruption linked to the attribution and use of land is another challenging factor for a One Health approach to natural habitat management. 

5. No “one size fits all” solution

Another challenge in the region is the lack of diversity in projects and policies proposed by foreign organizations such as NGOs, which often do not take into consideration the very different types of biodiversity present in a given area: One Health policies in East Africa should not be thought of and executed with a “one size fits all” approach. 

Measures to be taken

• Fight acaricide failure: Acaricide failure should be fought against via (1) education programs for farmers to develop more targeted approaches against acaricide (e.g. through rotational use of herbicides) and (2) via enhanced laboratory capacity for the control of ticks.

• More protected areas: The size and amount of protected areas should be increased in the region with adequate accompanying measures regarding the resettlement of potentially affected populations (e.g. financial compensation, retraining, and alternative livelihood programs), building on experiences by non-governmental organizations such as Conservation through Public Health.

• Regulate access to antimicrobials and increase laboratory capacity: The usage of antimicrobial drugs should be better regulated, and laboratory surveillance of AMR should be enhanced in the region (more funding for laboratory equipment and education of personnel.

• Support sustainable farming: Food system actors should receive better education about sustainable farming methods and the use of less water-intensive agricultural practices.

• Empowerment of local communities: In order to address communication and awareness issues and promote One Health and sustainable land use, it is important to build trust and empower local communities to understand that their actions today will affect the next generations. Local One Health community champions could be hired through publicly funded awareness-raising campaigns.

• Civic education: Civic education programs for the youth should be established in partnership with AFROHUN, a network of African universities working on One Health-related issue.

Stakeholders to engage with:

• Ministries (Agriculture, Environment, and Health) and other governmental entities (e.g. national centres for disease control).

• International organizations such as FAO and the African Union.

• NGOs and civil society organizations.

• Academic institutions

In conclusion, implementing the One Health approach is important for sustainable and resilient food systems. The above-mentioned recommendations following a One Health approach have the potential to promote sustainable and balanced land use and farming while ensuring community agency.