Protesting European farmers already have advantage, African farmers say

According to agricultural unionist Edward Kareweh, the actions of these farmers aimed at seeking reforms in policies on cheap imports and excessive regulations are justified to protect their respective interests.

But unlike most European countries where agricultural production capacity is optimum with relatively improved distribution systems and policies, Kareweh said African farmers have a lesser advantage.

“I think that the farmers took a legitimate rational action to protect their interest but if you compare them with the African farmers where they already have an advantage over African farmers and farmers elsewhere, one will say that the European farmers have no case but their action is in context,” he told Global South World's Wonder Hagan.

The General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union of Ghana explained that African farmers have more reason to protest because most African governments have failed to give the agriculture sector the necessary attention it needs.

Rather than invest in production by providing improved technological equipment for farming, prioritising exports and reducing imports, and establishing policies to prioritise the sector, these leaders undermine agriculture in most African countries, Kareweh said.

“If you look at the African continent and the structure of agricultural producers, you see that the majority of the farmers in Africa are those who are on a small scale. And they are scattered all over. There are few commercial farmers in Africa. Unfortunately, you find all manner of agricultural products flooding the African continent and countries, and yet our leaders think that it is the way to develop the economy,” he added.

Karaweh further attributed the inability of a majority of these African countries to provide sustainable food for their respective citizens to the poor policies and leadership of their governments on agriculture.

“This government attitude makes the African farmer worse off and it is not the farmer’s interest that you are protecting, any time the government fails to protect the farmer, then they are undermining the production capacity of the countries so it is no secret why African countries are unable to feed themselves because they are not putting in the necessary policies and frameworks to stem up Agricultural production,” he noted.

He also urged farmers in Africa to galvanise resources to put pressure on their respective governments for action that will serve their collective interest and boost agricultural production.

"Pressure brings about results, pressure makes governments listen and that is not different from what pertains in Africa. The difference is about the intransigence of governments to listen to their own people. But that should not be the reason why farmers and other pressure groups should fold their hands and allow them to do whatever they want to do. What it means is that they will have to double and increase their pressure for the government to respect their fundamental human rights, economic rights, social rights, and the rights to be protected.

"This teaches us lessons that we should be able as farmers in the African continent, to hold our governments on to appreciate the need to support farming and agricultural production in the continent," he added.

Edward Kareweh’s comments follow recent protests by farmers in some European countries. The farmers complain of not being paid enough, being choked by excessive regulation on environmental protection, and facing unfair competition from cheap imports.

French farmers blocked major roads with tractors in Paris on January 28 in protests of what they describe as disrespect from the European Union. The French protest follows similar ones in Germany, and Poland among others. Spanish farmers have also indicated plans to protest in February.

The protests come ahead of European Parliament elections scheduled for June and the EU summit where they hope their actions will influence policies focused on aid for Ukraine and the bloc’s budget.