It is obvious that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have no answer to the current food crisis.

It is obvious that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have no answer to the current food crisis.

But it's the deafening silence from the African Union that is worrying.

Unfortunately, Africa cannot afford the luxury of a wait-and-see plan. It is of paramount importance to change our way of thinking in order to find long-lasting solutions.

First we have to ask, how did we get here? It does not make sense to have rice and wheat revolts in the age of plenty.

In Africa, drought, poor governance and poverty are among the precipitating factors. African farmers are struggling to produce enough food because they can't compete with their European counterparts.

Africans must come up with an African solution. We need to consider genetically modified foods as a short-to-medium term option.

Governments must also increase spending on agricultural research and support for struggling African farmers.

Business must come to the party by making basic foods such as bread, mielie meal, milk and rice affordable for all.

Food cannot be left in the hands of governments alone. It needs a collective effort. The food crisis demands new thinking.

Lucas Ntyintyane, Cresta