CAMIC raises alarm on Africa’s arable land loss, urges govt to tackle menace

By Obiabin Onukwugha
Environment advocacy body, Climate Africa Media Initiative Center (CAMIC), is calling for urgent measures to address the rapid loss of arable land across Africa.
CAMIC is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and combating climate change.
According to the body, the growing threat to food security and livelihoods demands concerted efforts from governments, communities, and the private sector to ensure the protection and restoration of this vital resource.
Arable land, the foundation of Africa’s agricultural productivity, is under severe pressure from increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall, deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. The impacts are devastating, with millions of hectares rendered infertile each year. Without immediate intervention, Africa risks losing its ability to feed its growing population and sustain its economy.
CAMIC in a statement on Thursday, signed by its Chief Growth Officer, Pius Alabi emphasised that governments must prioritize the enforcement of soil conservation policies.
The body also urged farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture techniques, such as agroforestry, conservation tillage, and crop rotation as these methods improve soil health, reduce erosion, and boost productivity, ensuring land remains fertile for future generations.
“CAMIC supports large-scale land restoration initiatives. By reforesting degraded areas and promoting sustainable land management practices, Africa can restore millions of hectares of lost arable land, increasing food production and resilience to climate impacts.
“To address water scarcity, CAMIC calls for the development of irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting methods. Efficient water management will not only increase crop yields but also reduce pressure on arable lands,” the statement reaf in part.
The body further urged African governments to strengthen land use policies, provide incentives for sustainable farming, and fund research into climate-resilient crops, saying iit is vital that African nations act together to protect their natural resources for the long-term benefit of their people.
“CAMIC recognizes that the fight to preserve arable land is a shared responsibility. We call on all stakeholders – from policymakers and farmers to businesses and civil society – to take urgent action. Only by working together can we mitigate the loss of arable land, safeguard food security, and build a resilient future for Africa,” the statement added.