Why Our Work Matters

Africa is the most food-insecure continent in the world. While about 20% of the population in Africa faces hunger and malnutrition, only 9% of the population in Asia does, about 9% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 6% in the Oceania region, and less than 3% in Northern America and Europe, according to data from the Food and Agricultural Organization. Poor seed systems, lack of investments in the agricultural sector, climate change, aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, and conflicts in and outside the continent have exacerbated food insecurity challenges in Africa. Africa’s food import bill currently stands at about $60 billion, although the majority of imported food can be produced here.

Meanwhile, it is estimated that 37% of all food produced on the continent is lost and wasted through poor production and harvesting practices, short life spans, inefficient processing and packaging, distribution, and supply chain challenges, among others. Food waste is estimated to be responsible for about 8-10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions on the continent. Using CRISPR gene editing technology, HavAfric will produce and distribute crop seeds with higher yield, improved nutritional content, disease, pest, and drought resistance traits, and extended shelf life, among other traits, for the benefit of farmers and consumers. Our operations are beginning in Ghana but will subsequently be extended to other parts of Africa.