Russian Fertilizers as an Element of Strengthening Africa’s Food Sovereignty – JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE FOR AFRICAN STUDIES

Author:

Sviridov V.Yu., Andreeva T.А.

Abstract:

Over the past few years, amid the pandemic and other crises in the world markets, food security in Africa has once again become a key issue in international relations. However, what is important for the food sovereignty of the continent is not only the uninterrupted supply of food but also the gradual localization of food production in Africa, which requires increased fertilizer consumption, making the transition from the concept of “food security” to “food sovereignty” relevant. In general, it can be argued that the problem of Africa’s food sovereignty is not related to land scarcity but primarily to Africa’s position in the global value chains in the world’s food markets, as well as its dependence on imports of semi-finished food products. The key role in maintaining import dependence is played by influential lobbying and financial groups, intermediaries linked to transnational corporations, traders, and a number of other international actors. Structural imbalances in economic development have so far prevented most African countries from producing fertilizers domestically, which has led to an increase in fertilizer imports. In recent years, Russian exporters have managed to significantly strengthen their presence in African food and agricultural markets, bringing their share of the African fertilizer market to 20%. This article deals with the main trends of the movement toward food sovereignty in Africa, primarily considering the role of fertilizers in this process. For the first time, an analysis of the strategies of major Russian fertilizer suppliers in Africa is provided.

Keywords:

Africa, food sovereignty, famine, fertilizers, food security, Russian-African relations

DOI:

10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-170-185

References:

1. Abbs L. (2020). The Hunger Games: Food prices, ethnic cleavages and nonviolent unrest in Africa. Journal of Peace Research. Vol. 57. № 2. Pp. 281–296. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343319866487
2. Abdelradi F., Admassie A., Asafu Adjaye J. et al (2021). Policy options for food systems transformation in Africa – from the perspective of African universities and think tanks. United Nations Food Systems Summit. https://mamopanel.org/media/ uploads/files/FSS_Brief_Policy_Options_Food_Sytems_Transformation_Africa.pdf (accessed 15.02.2024)
3. Abramova I.O. (2014). “Demographic dividend” and the future of Africa. Asia and Africa today. № 11. Pp. 23–30. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31857/S032150750023555-2
4. Ambalam K. (2014). Food Sovereignty in the Era of Land Grabbing: An African Perspective. Journal of Sustainable Development. Vol. 7. № 2. Pp. 121–132. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v7n2p121
5. Anderson K. (1995). Lobbying incentives and the pattern of protection in rich and poor countries. Economic Development and Cultural Change. Vol. 43. № 2. Pp. 401–423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/ 452156
6. Andrae G., Beckman B. (1985). The Wheat Trap: Bread and Underdevelopment in Nigeria. London: Zed Books Ltd.
7. Ba M.N. (2016). Strategic Agricultural Commodity Value Chains in Africa for Increased Food: The Regional Approach for Food Security. Agricultural Sciences. № 7. Pp. 549–585. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ as.2016.79055

8. Fituni L.L. (2017). Predictive analysis of the role of demographic dividend in overcoming structural imbalances of socio-economic development of Africa (2015–2060). Journal of the Institute for African Studies. № 2. Pp. 3–15. (In Russ.)
9. Galtung J. (1977). Self-reliance and Global Interdependence: Some Reflections on the “New International Economic Order”. Oslo: University of Oslo.
10. Gavrilova N.G. (2022). State and prospects of Russian mineral fertilizer exports to Africa. In: Cooperation of the members of the Eurasian Economic Union with African countries. Moscow, Institute for African Studies. Pp. 121–130. (In Russ.)
11. Gavrilova N.G. (2023). Influence of the colonial period on the state of modern agriculture in the SSA countries. Sovremennaya nauka: actual problems of theory and practice. Series: Economics and Law. № 11. Pp. 20–22. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37882/2223-2974.2023.11.08
12. Jayne T.S., Shahidur R. (2013). Input subsidy programs in sub-Saharan Africa: a synthesis of recent evidence. Agricultural Economics. Vol. 44. № 6. Pp. 547–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12073
13. Kalinichenko L.N. (2019). African market of mineral fertilizers. In: Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Countries. Moscow: Institute for African Studies. (In Russ.)
14. Kuhlmann K., Sechler S., Guinan J. (2011). Africa’s Development Corridors as Pathways to Agricultural Development, Regional Economic Integration and Food Security in Africa. Pre-print. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.2139/ssrn.3694895
15. Maslov A.A. (Ed.). (2023). Africa 2023. Opportunities and Risks: Expert and Analytical Handbook. Maslov A.A., Sviridov V.Y. et al. National Research University Higher School of Economics, Center for African Studies. 2nd ed., supplement. Moscow: HSE Publishing House. (In Russ.)
16. Maslov A.A., Sviridov V.Y., Suslov D.V., Mezentsev S.V., Zaitsev V.Y. (2021). Africa: development prospects and recommendations for Russia’s policy: a report on the results of situational analysis. Moscow: International Relations. (In Russ.)
17. Morozenskaya E.V. (2019). “New Regionalism” in Africa: a form of adaptation to globalization or an attempt to counter modern neo-colonialism? Contours of global transformations: politics, economics, law. Vol. 12. № 4. Pp. 209–227. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.23932/2542-0240-2019-12-4-209-227
18. Rakotoarisoa M., Iafrate M., Paschali M. (2011). Why has Africa become a net food importer? Explaining Africa agricultural and food trade deficits. Rome: FAO.
19. Shepherd B. (2012). Thinking critically about food security. Security Dialogue. Vol. 43. № 3. Pp. 195–212. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010612443724
20. Soffiantini G. (2020). Food insecurity and political instability during the Arab Spring. Global Food Security. Vol. 116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100400
21. Trauger A. (2015). Food Sovereignty in International Context. New York. Routledge.
22. UNDP (2022). Towards Food Security in Africa. UNDP.

For citation:

Sviridov, V.Yu., Andreeva, T.A. (2024). Russian Fertilizers as an Element of Strengthening Africa’s Food Sovereignty. Journal of the Institute for African Studies. № 2. Pp. 170–185. https://doi.org/10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-170-185

Для цитирования:

Свиридов В.Ю., Андреева Т.А. Российские удобрения как элемент укрепления продовольственного суверенитета Африки. Ученые записки Института Африки РАН. 2024. № 2. С. 170–185. https://doi.org/10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-170-185

Full Text Article (ENG )

Полный текст статьи (RUS)