Abstract
Many solutions have been proposed to address food security. We present here a prioritized set of actions achievable within the next 2–10 years. By taking a systems approach we follow the impact pathway backwards starting from the needs and desires of the end-users to eventually define the research agenda that will exactly address those targeted solutions with positive impacts. The following actions emerge as high-priority and achievable in the near future: new research tools to study food systems; dis-aggregated intra-household surveys to reveal within-family inequalities in food access; increased scientific consensus on climate change impacts in sub-Saharan Africa; rapid response measures to address sudden emergencies, such as capturing excess rainfall water; financial tools to enable rapid responses with recovery measures afterwards; consideration of restrictions that excess heat and humidity impose on human productivity; secure land ownership and tenure rights to encourage long-term agricultural investment; mechanization at all stages along the food system.
Highlights
Food security, which encompasses food availability, access, utilization and stability (Van den Broeck & Maertens, 2016; Frels et al, 2019), is a key element in Sustainable Development Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
The following actions emerge as high-priority and achievable in the near future: new research tools to study food systems; dis-aggregated intrarecommendations, based on a much wider review that draws on the authors’ long combined experience working in these areas in public-sector agricultural research and development for the developing world
Our focus is on agriculture in the developing world, where food security is most needed
Summary
The following actions emerge as high-priority and achievable in the near future: new research tools to study food systems; dis-aggregated intra-household surveys to reveal within-family inequalities in food access; increased scientific consensus on climate change impacts in sub-Saharan Africa; rapid response measures to address sudden emergencies, such as capturing excess rainfall water; financial tools to enable rapid responses with recovery measures afterwards; consideration of restrictions that excess heat and humidity impose on human productivity; secure land ownership and tenure rights to encourage long-term agricultural investment; mechanization at all stages along the food system. By taking a systems In so doing, we present a big-picture overview of the approach we follow the impact pathway backwards starting current status for each area and offer some from the needs and desires of the end-users to eventually define the research agenda that will exactly address those targeted solutions with positive impacts. Below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman
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