African food systems continue to face several challenges, including extreme weather events and climate change, limited levels of yield-increasing technologies, dependency on rainfed agriculture and low levels of irrigation.

More than two-thirds of Africans depend on agriculture for their income and their basic food needs. Research has shown that countries with higher agricultural growth have lower poverty rates. By improving agriculture and food markets, there is an opportunity to further lift millions of African people out of poverty.

Africa, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular, has for more than 10 years recorded a steady economic growth since the advent of the new millennium. Yet, despite this stellar economic growth, it faces challenges such as rapid population growth, persistent economic inequality, climate change threats, droughts, youth unemployment, undernourishment, and food insecurity.

The African Union (AU), as well as respective national governments and regional organizations, and the international community at large, have in recent decades launched a multitude of policy initiatives aimed at addressing and tackling Africa’s food insecurity and nutrition challenges. Despite those efforts and commitments by the disparate stakeholders, much remains to be done.

 


 


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Tags: Tzu Chi Foundation: Food Crisis in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities