Global fertilizer supply chains at risk due to geopolitical tensions, threatening food security in Africa
Original framing: “Iran war may cause food shortages in Africa, world’s largest fertiliser firm says” — The Guardian - World
The current crisis echoes colonial patterns of resource extraction and dependency, where African nations were made reliant on imported goods and inputs. Historical parallels include the Green Revolution, which promoted chemical fertilizers at the expense of traditional knowledge and soil health.
The crisis framed as a result of the Iran war is in fact a symptom of deeper systemic issues: the concentration of power in agrochemical corporations, the erosion of indigenous agricultural knowledge, and the legacy of colonial trade structures.
By promoting agroecology, decentralizing food systems, and reforming trade policies, we can address the root causes of vulnerability. Indigenous and smallholder farmers must be at the center of these efforts, as their knowledge and practices offer sustainable, culturally appropriate solutions. The path forward requires a reimagining of food security that prioritizes equity, ecological health, and local autonomy over corporate control and global dependency.