The recent report by Initiatives News highlights the urgent need to reform Mauritania's agricultural model to ensure the sustainability of its food systems, improve public health, and achieve food sovereignty. The global community has come to realize that food sovereignty is a pressing political issue, exacerbated by recent international crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and tensions between the US and Iran. These events have disrupted global trade and revealed the vulnerability of societies to resource scarcity.
Mauritania faces a significant structural obstacle in its quest for food sovereignty: water scarcity. The country's renewable water resources have dramatically decreased to around 2,600 cubic meters per capita per year, estimated to be between 11 and 11.5 billion cubic meters annually. Climate change has further aggravated this stress, with chronic decreases in precipitation and continuous temperature increases hindering agricultural performance. To address this challenge, the government must adopt targeted and strategic policies to strengthen the resilience of Mauritania's food system actors.
The country's dependence on external markets is a significant concern, with Mauritania importing around 70% of its global food needs, according to the Central Bank of Mauritania. This has resulted in a hefty bill of 43 billion MRU, a 2% increase from the previous year. This model contradicts the principles of food sovereignty and raises important public health questions, particularly regarding the carbon footprint of international transport and the risks associated with genetically modified organisms or pesticide residues in imported crops.
To mitigate this shock, the government has maintained significant subsidies on essential products such as refined sugar and soft wheat, which Mauritania relies on by 99.7%. The cost of supporting agricultural development and local seed multiplication is around 20 billion MRU. Investments are being made, such as the 446 million dollar public-private partnership for the future Foum Gleita sugar complex, to break the cycle of dependence and promote a bioeconomy.
The introduction of modern agricultural policies has contributed to the degradation of Mauritania's biodiversity, with the importation of exogenous bovine genes and dependence on foreign seeds and cereals altering the local genetic heritage. This has occurred at the expense of traditional farming practices based on the principles of circular bioeconomy: limited inputs, abandonment of synthetic fertilizers, and recycling of biomass through ruminant livestock. Restoring the country's agricultural heritage and promoting sustainable practices are essential to address this ecological erosion.
Despite these challenges, Mauritania's rich cultural and gastronomic heritage offers opportunities for refoundation. The country can leverage its culinary traditions to transition towards sovereign food systems, with Mauritanians increasingly aspiring to healthy, natural, and locally anchored diets. By promoting sustainable agriculture and a bioeconomy, Mauritania can restore its agricultural biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of its ecosystem.
Experts agree that a strategy for national resilience is imperative for state security, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses the challenges of water scarcity, climate change, and food sovereignty. By prioritizing sustainable agriculture, promoting local production, and educating consumers about the importance of water conservation and sustainable practices, Mauritania can make progress towards achieving food sovereignty and ensuring a healthier future for its citizens.
Key points
- Water scarcity and climate change are significant obstacles to Mauritania's food sovereignty.
- The country's dependence on external markets undermines its food sovereignty and public health.
- A bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture can help Mauritania achieve food sovereignty and restore its agricultural biodiversity.
