A new report launched this Wednesday, June 30, 2021 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission ( AUC), reveals that fruits, vegetables and proteins remain out of reach for most Africans.

Nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables and animal protein, are relatively expensive compared to staples such as grains and starchy roots, and, according to the report, some of the reasons are systemic. Evidence presented in the report shows that nearly three-quarters of Africa's population cannot afford a healthy diet of fruit, plant and animal protein, and more than half cannot afford a nutrient-adequate diet, which provides a blend of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals to maintain basic health. Even a sufficiently high-energy diet, which provides minimal energy and little else, is out of reach for more than 10 percent of the continent's population.

According to the document, sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where the number of stunted children continues to increase. Although the prevalence of stunting is declining, it is only decreasing very slowly and despite progress, almost a third of children in sub-Saharan Africa are stunted. Only three countries, Eswatini, Kenya and Sao Tome and Principe, are on track to meet four of the World Health Assembly's five nutrition targets. Three other countries, Ghana, Lesotho and Rwanda, are on track to achieve three of the goals.

Smart policies and interventions across agrifood systems are needed to increase yields, reduce costs, promote nutritious foods, and reduce health and environmental costs. In the African context, critical interventions include increased investment in research and extension to improve yields, especially of nutritious foods, and increased efforts to adopt modern agricultural technologies. According to the report, production must be scaled up in a sustainable way, alongside interventions to improve land governance, empower women farmers, reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access.