Prospects and challenges of increasing the development impact of agricultural research in enhancing food and nutrition security in Sub Saharan Africa

Abstract

Increasing the development impact of agricultural research as it relates to promoting food  and nutrition security continues to be a major challenge in Sub Saharan Africa. The preceding review explores the opportunities and constraints that are associated with increasing the development impact of agricultural research in enhancing food and nutrition security in Sub Saharan Africa.  The engendered agricultural research approach in promoting food production and security is examined. There is an attempt to describe the impact of gender-sensitive agricultural research on food production and its implication for food and nutrition security. The influence of policy environment, inclusion of micro-livestock and insects farming in the mainstream agriculture production and agricultural research priorities in increasing the development impact of agricultural research are highlighted. It is also suggested that incorporating indigenous knowledge as the basis of agricultural research may promote increasing  development impact of agricultural research in the region. Climate smart agricultural research should become increasingly important such that it influences food production and achieve the primary objective of achieving food and nutrition security. Sub Saharan Africa is endowed with potential good agricultural space which can be put in good use through increasing the development impact of agricultural research in a manner that the ultimate goal of self food and nutrition sustenance is attained. The review concludes that in the planning and implementation of agricultural research to enhance food and nutrition security, gender sensitive agricultural policies should be put in place such that women become the focal point of food production in Sub Saharan Africa. The sustainable development goals aimed at achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture can be only realized through increasing the development impact of agricultural research in Sub Saharan Africa.