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Africa’s Food and Nutrition Security Situation: Where Are We and How Did We Get Here?

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  • Benson, Todd

Abstract

Efforts and initiatives to combat hunger and malnutrition in Africa are gaining momentum at all levels—local, national, continental, and international. To design and implement effective strategies for action, it is vital that we have a clear understanding of the problems and options. In this 2020 discussion paper, Todd Benson reviews the extent of food and nutrition insecurity across Africa. He assesses recent patterns and trends, exploring where significant progress has occurred, or not, and why. The differences between food and nutrition security, and how they are linked, are clarified. Benson examines the key direct and indirect determinants and consequences of food and nutrition insecurity in the African context and offers a menu of actions and strategies. Lack of access to and availability of food—the key factors behind food insecurity—remain central concerns in Africa. When food insecurity interacts with health and care problems it translates into nutrition insecurity. HIV/AIDS is an important issue in that context. This comprehensive paper gives prominent attention to the oft-neglected issue of nutrition security. Reflecting emerging Africa-wide initiatives, the paper takes a continental perspective, which should be helpful for strategic consideration by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Union. This paper was commissioned for the IFPRI 2020 Africa Conference on “Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020: Prioritizing Actions, Strengthening Actors, and Facilitating Partnerships,” held in Kampala, Uganda on April 1–3, 2004. There, it served to illuminate the discussions on why Africa has not yet achieved food and nutrition security and what needs to be done. I am sure this paper can influence the dialogues and indeed actions being undertaken to end hunger and malnutrition in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Benson, Todd, 2004. "Africa’s Food and Nutrition Security Situation: Where Are We and How Did We Get Here?," 2020 Discussion Papers 42272, CGIAR, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:if20dp:42272
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.42272
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    2. Harris Neeliah & Bhavani Shankar, 2008. "Is nutritional improvement a cause or a consequence of economic growth? Evidence from Mauritius," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 17(8), pages 1-11.
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    7. Lauren Gies & Datu Agusdinata & Venkatesh Merwade, 2014. "Drought adaptation policy development and assessment in East Africa using hydrologic and system dynamics modeling," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 74(2), pages 789-813, November.
    8. Daniel Ayalew Mekonnen & Nicolas Gerber, 2017. "Aspirations and food security in rural Ethiopia," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(2), pages 371-385, April.
    9. Temu, Andrew & Msuya, Elibariki Emmanuel, 2004. "Capacity Building In Information And Communication Management (ICM) Towards Food Security," MPRA Paper 8135, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Mohajan, Haradhan, 2013. "Declining economy in Zambia and its impact in food security," MPRA Paper 50683, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 19 Jun 2013.
    11. Michael Herrmann, 2006. "Agricultural Support Measures of Advanced Countries and Food Insecurity in Developing Countries," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2006-141, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    12. Munir Ahmad & Umar Farooq, 2010. "The State of Food Security in Pakistan: Future Challenges and Coping Strategies," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 49(4), pages 903-923.
    13. Borish, David & King, Nia & Dewey, Cate, 2017. "Enhanced community capital from primary school feeding and agroforestry program in Kenya," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 10-18.
    14. Jessica Fanzo, "undated". "The Nutrition Challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa," UNDP Africa Policy Notes 2012-012, United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Africa.
    15. Khaldi, Raoudha & Dhraief, Mohamed Zied & Haddad, Samia & Rached, Zouhair & Padilla, Martine, 2007. "Impact of the food safety policies on the reduction of poverty in Tunisian rural areas," 106th Seminar, October 25-27, 2007, Montpellier, France 7928, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    16. Ogundari, Kolawole & Aromolaran, Adebayo, "undated". "On the causal relationship between nutrition and economic Growth: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235352, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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