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Water-Food-Nutrition-Health Nexus: Linking Water to Improving Food, Nutrition and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi

    (Department of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Tendai Chibarabada

    (Department of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Albert Modi

    (Department of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

Abstract

Whereas sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) water scarcity, food, nutrition and health challenges are well-documented, efforts to address them have often been disconnected. Given that the region continues to be affected by poverty and food and nutrition insecurity at national and household levels, there is a need for a paradigm shift in order to effectively deliver on the twin challenges of food and nutrition security under conditions of water scarcity. There is a need to link water use in agriculture to achieve food and nutrition security outcomes for improved human health and well-being. Currently, there are no explicit linkages between water, agriculture, nutrition and health owing to uncoordinated efforts between agricultural and nutrition scientists. There is also a need to develop and promote the use of metrics that capture aspects of water, agriculture, food and nutrition. This review identified nutritional water productivity as a suitable index for measuring the impact of a water-food-nutrition-health nexus. Socio-economic factors are also considered as they influence food choices in rural communities. An argument for the need to utilise the region’s agrobiodiversity for addressing dietary quality and diversity was established. It is concluded that a model for improving nutrition and health of poor rural communities based on the water-food-nutrition-health nexus is possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Tendai Chibarabada & Albert Modi, 2016. "Water-Food-Nutrition-Health Nexus: Linking Water to Improving Food, Nutrition and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:107-:d:61826
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Laurencia Govender & Kirthee Pillay & Muthulisi Siwela & Albert Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2016. "Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Selected Rural Communities of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa—Linking Human Nutrition and Agriculture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Tendai Polite Chibarabada & Albert Thembinkosi Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2017. "Nutrient Content and Nutritional Water Productivity of Selected Grain Legumes in Response to Production Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Adrián Csordás & István Füzesi, 2023. "The Impact of Technophobia on Vertical Farms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Matilda Azong Cho & Abel Ramoelo & Lindiwe M. Sibanda, 2023. "Exploring the Integration of the Land, Water, and Energy Nexus in Sustainable Food Systems Research through a Socio-Economic Lens: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-21, December.

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