African leaders warn only ‘four harvests’ remain to secure food future

Monday 8th December 2025

by inAfrka Newsroom

Africa four harvests food future was the stark warning from business and farm leaders at the B20 Sustainable Food Systems Dialogue linked to the G20 summit. They argued that, with 2030 looming, the continent has only four main growing seasons left to fix its food systems.

Speakers said population growth of about 200 million people by 2030 will strain already fragile supply chains. They called for urgent action to unlock intra-African trade in food, reduce dependence on imported fertiliser and grain, and invest in climate-smart farming.

The dialogue highlighted slow progress on existing plans. Africa’s new Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme for 2026–2035 sets targets for productivity, resilience and rural incomes. But funding gaps and weak implementation threaten to delay results.

Participants argued that farmers still face high input costs, poor storage, and limited data on weather and markets. Climate shocks, from El Niño-linked droughts to floods, are eroding yields and incomes. Youth remain under-represented in profitable value chains, while women farmers struggle to access land, finance and extension support.

Next steps

Delegates urged governments to fast-track tariff cuts and non-tariff barrier reforms under the African Continental Free Trade Area. The goal is to move surplus grain, livestock and horticulture across borders quickly, rather than importing food from outside the continent.

They also called for blended-finance tools that de-risk investment in irrigation, cold storage, input manufacturing and digital advisory platforms. Development banks were asked to prioritise smallholder-friendly infrastructure and support local seed and fertiliser producers.

“Africa four harvests food future” became a rallying phrase for monitoring progress. Organisers want annual scorecards that track hectares under climate-smart practices, reduced post-harvest loss, and growth in regional food trade.

Why it matters: Africa four harvests food future

The warning cuts through technical language. Four harvests is a timeline people can feel. If reforms lag, food import bills will rise, rural poverty will deepen and climate shocks will hit harder.

Conversely, if Africa uses these four cycles well, it can boost farmer incomes, build rural jobs and supply growing urban markets. “Africa four harvests food future” is therefore a test of political will, not just agronomic skill.

For households, the stakes are clear. Affordable, nutritious food, stable prices and secure rural livelihoods depend on choices made between now and 2030.