Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Desalegn Boshe, have warned that 80 million Africans risk extreme poverty if the COVID-19 response is not focused on food security, agribusiness and rural development.
They warned that the continent could be the worst hit from the economic crisis unleashed by the pandemic as a result of the disruptions caused by it on the food ecosystem.
It is therefore vital that the COVID-19 response addresses food security and target the rural poor.
"However, the rich potential of agriculture as a tool to promote food security and fight poverty is at risk from the effects of COVID-19," they said.
The duo analysed the importance of agriculture on the African economy, saying that efforts must be made to prevent food shortage.
