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Toward a food secure future: Ensuring food security for sustainable human development in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Conceição, Pedro
  • Levine, Sebastian
  • Lipton, Michael
  • Warren-Rodríguez, Alex

Abstract

Food security remains a top development priority and global concern. It is enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Sustainable Development Goal two. Food security is also a core component of the human development and capability paradigm, since food access and entitlements are critical for reinforcing essential human capabilities. In introducing this special issue, this paper argues that agriculture is central to improving food security and reducing poverty in Africa. It suggests that realizing the potential of agriculture in Africa requires rapid increases in land productivity and increases in agricultural yields. A science-based approach that integrates gender and sustainability is critical to meet this goal, through the design and implementation of policies that improve the availability farm inputs and farm technology. The paper concludes by introducing the papers in this special issue.

Suggested Citation

  • Conceição, Pedro & Levine, Sebastian & Lipton, Michael & Warren-Rodríguez, Alex, 2016. "Toward a food secure future: Ensuring food security for sustainable human development in Sub-Saharan Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:60:y:2016:i:c:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.02.003
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    Cited by:

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    2. Dzanku, Fred Mawunyo, 2019. "Food security in rural sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the nexus between gender, geography and off-farm employment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 26-43.
    3. Blesh, Jennifer & Hoey, Lesli & Jones, Andrew D. & Friedmann, Harriet & Perfecto, Ivette, 2019. "Development pathways toward “zero hunger”," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 1-14.
    4. Masa, Rainier & Khan, Zoheb & Chowa, Gina, 2020. "Youth food insecurity in Ghana and South Africa: Prevalence, socioeconomic correlates, and moderation effect of gender," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    5. Janus, Heiner & Holzapfel, Sarah, 2016. "Results-based approaches in agriculture: what is the potential?," IDOS Discussion Papers 25/2016, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    6. Whitney, Cory W. & Tabuti, John R.S. & Hensel, Oliver & Yeh, Ching-Hua & Gebauer, Jens & Luedeling, Eike, 2017. "Homegardens and the future of food and nutrition security in southwest Uganda," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 133-144.

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