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HEALTH
The relationship between malaria and agriculture in tropical Africa
What is the relationship between malaria and agriculture in tropical Africa? What are the farmers’ practices that enhance the breeding of mosquitoes in Africa’s rural communities? How effective are global efforts aimed at mitigating malaria among rural dwellers? These and many more were the questions which agitated the minds of agricultural scientists, medical researchers, pharmacists and entomologists who met at an international conference held at the Nigeria-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), 18-20 March 2002, to consider the link between malaria and agriculture in Africa with a view to proffering solutions.
The multi-disciplinary consortium of agricultural, medical and entomological practitioners drawn from Africa, Europe, and the USA, discussed ways of improving African farmers’ practices, in order to mitigate the effect of malaria, throughout Africa.
Participants were interested in strengthening existing research efforts, aimed at promoting the integration of preventive and curative methods of malaria control, by considering improved farming systems that will reduce mosquito population in the rural areas. They also wanted to encourage the development and use of plants and herbs for preventing and curing malaria.
The Workshop was sponsored by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Sri Lanka, and the IITA, under the System Wide Initiative on Malaria and Agriculture (SIMA) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Scientists from various African malaria control and research institutions, university teaching hospitals, national agricultural research systems (NARS) in the sub-region, made useful contributions during the Workshop. Funding support came from the USA Environment Health Project (EHP); The Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC); the World Health Organization (WHO)’s «roll-back-malaria» Program; the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, (UK); the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory.
Enhancing malaria reduction
According to Clifford Mutero, SIMA‘s Coordinator, the goal of the three-day Workshop was to identify opportunities that would enhance malaria reduction, resulting in less human suffering, increased agricultural productivity, and poverty alleviation. He said: «SIMA activities include examining: Agriculture-malaria links; the best practices for malaria control; the impact of malaria on food security; promoting the development and use of plants as a source of anti-mosquito and anti-malaria products».
Malaria is an endemic disease killing more than one million people annually in Africa, with more than 50 per cent of the deaths occurring among rural farming families, thus resulting in a negative impact on food security throughout Africa. Research findings say more than 90 percent of global malaria cases occur in Africa.
According to Bob Booth, IITA‘s deputy director-general, «the effect of ill-health on agriculture, is a vicious circle which must be broken if poverty is to be truly eliminated, and food security ensured in Africa». He emphasized that the situation of endemic malaria in West and Central Africa, is one of the most potent influences on poor agricultural production. He listed other health conditions that have severe negative effects on African agriculture. These include HIV/AIDS, and contamination from aflatoxin* intake. He said the IITA now maintains a coordinating office with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), while the Institute currently works in its Republic of Benin Research Station, on how to reduce the effects of aflatoxin contamination in children. Contacted through poor storage of maize, and other food stuffs, the presence of aflatoxin in human blood can lead to poor immunity.
To mitigate the effect of the diseases on loss of labour in Africa, the IITA is improving resistance to the diseases, by bolstering general family nutrition through the development of protein and micro-nutrient rich crops, and embarking on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems to reduce the impact of insects on crops and encouraging other environmental-friendly farming practices.
In his paper, Frank Abamu, a crop physiologist at the West Africa Rice Development Authority (WARDA) in Côte d’Ivoire, said it was the responsibility of Workshop participants to reach a consensus in the efforts of the various experts to offer solutions to farmers in their war against malaria. He said farmers have been left for too long to fight malaria in their own ways. «CGIAR‘s concern is to improve farmers’ practices with a view to enhancing their productivity.
Unanswered questions
After the three days’ brainstorming, it was obvious the scientists have a long way to go. Many questions remain unanswered and it was discovered that more basic research will be needed on the direct impact of malaria on food production. Clarification is also needed regarding the areas in Africa most affected by malaria, and it must be remembered that in Africa, food-tastes vary from one region to the other. In West Africa, farmers specialize in the production of root and tuber crops; those in the Sahel prefer cereals and grain. Furthermore, while most farmers in West and Central Africa practice mixed cropping, the situation is different in most parts of Eastern and Southern African where mono-cropping is the norm.
There were encouraging reports about plants and herbs used either to repel mosquitoes or to treat malaria in rural areas of Africa. The scientists agreed that: Traditional healers with their knowledge of plant life can contribute greatly to the fight against malaria; research must be made into determining what farmers are actually doing to reduce mosquito infestation in their environment. Participants called on African governments to create public awareness on the WHO-sponsored Roll-Back-Malaria-Program, and to help popularize the use of treated mosquito nets in rural areas. They also recommended better policy support, for agricultural and pharmaceutical research institutes to develop plants and herbs for malaria control in Africa.
Generally speaking, the Workshop showed there is every hope for improving living standards, especially among rural farming families.
- Taye Babaleye, Nigeria, May 2002 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment
*Author’s note: Aflatoxin is a heart-related or respiratory problem caused by contamination of the blood system. It is caused by eating contaminated food which has been badly stored (producing mould or fungus). Aflatoxin can remain in childrens’ bloodstreams for long periods, until its accumulation poses a serious danger especially, later on in life.
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PeaceLink 2002 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement