The food crises in Africa is a human one, for it will affect the next generation in a way that no one can yet predict. Many people have less than the daily requirement of nutrients needed to maintain health. This is because the price of food in Africa is as high as anywhere in the world.
Needless to say, families in Africa are heavily streched( there are no’soup lines’ or organizations which feed hungry people on any large scale). For example, a working man or woman who makes N200 per month( the average salary for a person who has finished secondary school) per month( the average salary for a person who has finished secondary school) might have to feed up to 10 people or more. Unfortunately, in the average home, age rether than need is what determines the quality of food received. so those who needd it the most, the growing children, receive the least6. The men often get the large chunks of meat while the children may not get any. Because of this practice, as many as 95% of Africa’s children receives less protein than they need.
One of the most serious problem facing Africa mother’s is the shortage of baby food( milk sudstitute). In the 1970’s when oil dollars were flowing, African women who were mostly still nursing their infants, were encouraged to use artificial baby food. This was done through the media, billboards, and sometimes aggressive door-to-door sales.
The sharp increase in the price of milk substitute took women totally by surprise. In 1983, a 450 grams tin of Nan made by Nestle cost mothers a fortune to get.