Food Insecurity In Africa Research Articles

Expansion and impact of cassava brown streak and cassava mosaic diseases in Africa: A review

Africa produces over half of global cassava; however, the continent's average yield is below the potential yields achieved under experimental conditions. Many factors contributing to low yield include lack of quality varieties, poor soils, limited access to capital, competition for labor, as well as pests and diseases. Plant diseases are the major biotic constraints to cassava production and have caused considerable food insecurity in Africa. Although there has been some level of disease management which has contributed to the increase in cassava production, the two viral diseases: cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) still claim between 30–40% and upto 70%, respectively of Africa's cassava harvest. Given the importance of the two diseases in Africa, we review the expansion of CBSD and CMD; impacts of the two diseases on food security and how they can be managed. We provide insights in the spread of the two diseases, management efforts, and future directions.

Human milk nutritional composition across lactational stages in Central Africa.

The African region encompasses the highest undernutrition burden with the highest neonatal and infant mortality rates globally. Under these circumstances, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and development. However, evidence on human milk (HM) composition from African women is scarce. This is of special concern, as we have no reference data from HM composition in the context of food insecurity in Africa. Furthermore, data on the evolution of HM across lactational stages in this setting lack as well. In the MITICA study, we conducted a cohort study among 48 Central-African women and their 50 infants to analyze the emergence of gut dysbiosis in infants and describe the mother-infant transmission of microbiota between birth and 6 months of age. In this context, we assessed nutritional components in HM of 48 lactating women in Central Africa through five sampling times from week 1 after birth until week 25. Unexpectedly, HM-type III (Secretor + and Lewis genes -) was predominant in HM from Central African women, and some nutrients differed significantly among HM-types. While lactose concentration increased across lactation periods, fatty acid concentration did not vary significantly. The overall median level of 16 detected individual human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs; core structures as well as fucosylated and sialylated ones) decreased from 7.3 g/l at week 1 to 3.5 g/l at week 25. The median levels of total amino acids in HM dropped from 12.8 mg/ml at week 1 to 7.4 mg/ml at week 25. In contrast, specific free amino acids increased between months 1 and 3 of lactation, e.g., free glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, and serine. In conclusion, HM-type distribution and certain nutrients differed from Western mother HM.

Africa and International Food Security Treaties: Is Climate Change to Blame?

Abstract This article is directed at answering three questions: what are the causes of food insecurity in Africa? What proportion of food insecurity is attributable to climate change, and lastly, how effective have the international food treaties been in addressing food insecurity in Africa? Information is scarce on the audit of the implementation, effectiveness and achievements of the various treaties over the years. None of the existing treaties specifically targets chronic food insecurity and historical issues as is common in Africa. Historical and geopolitical issues are responsible for food insecurity, as climate change only worsened the deplorable situation. It would not be possible for Africa to realise the sustainable development goals if the story does not change. Recommendations underline the need to handle historical and geopolitical issues independently, review existing treaties to identify gaps and determine the way forward.

The Impact of embracing Information and communication Technology in the Agriculture Sector

Developing countries in Africa have been battling with the challenge of providing quality healthcare by arresting the food insecurity predicament through advocating for adoption of better Agricultural practices that can boost the yields, though the main impediment is lack or limited access to information on many aspects of agricultural research and development to the important stakeholders. This paper examines the various ICT platforms and technologies used in the Agricultural sector, statistics of their usage index and eventually ascertain whether they have any impacts on Agriculture and are also handy in addressing the looming food insecurity in Africa.

Food fraud in insecure times: challenges and opportunities for reducing food fraud in Africa

BackgroundFood fraud describes deceptive acts that occur at all stages of the food supply chain for economic gain. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devasting impacts on individuals, institutions, and economies. Disruptions in supply chains and regulatory oversight have led to concerns about potential increases in food fraud-related incidents. In addition, the pandemic further exacerbated the issue of widespread and severe food insecurity in Africa, providing optimal conditions for fraudulent agents in the supply chain to perpetrate fraud. However, little is known about how food fraud manifests on the continent. Scope and approachThis review explores food fraud in the African context, emphasising the impact of COVID-19. The study provides examples of food fraud and challenges of critical stakeholders in the supply chain, including consumers, industry, and regulators in combating food fraud. It also discusses recommendations for researchers and policymakers to reduce fraud and improve the quality and safety of food along the supply chain.Key Findings and Conclusions: There is consensus that the pandemic has created an environment that makes consumers more vulnerable to food fraud. However, there are significant data gaps on the incidence of food fraud, making statistical comparisons difficult. The monitoring of food fraud incidents, especially in Africa, remains in its early stages, limiting food fraud prevention efforts. Improved data collection and significant investments in testing infrastructure and technical know-how are required for developing evidence-based action plans to combat fraud at both national and intra-continent levels to safeguard consumer health.

Classification of African Native Plant Foods Based on Their Processing Levels.

With increasing advocacy for plant food consumption, the sub-Saharan Africa landscape is home to diverse plant-based food commodities. The need to leverage the advantages of unprocessed/minimally processed foods (PFs) over ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is a system that requires exploitation. Most of the crops produced in the continent are either classified as traditionally or moderately PFs. However, the rise in industrialization and formalization of markets is impacting and marginalizing traditional food processing (FP). Current FP classification frameworks are briefly discussed. The level of processing of cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, roots, and tuber crops in the continent requires intervention from nutritionists, food scientists, and scientific and governmental bodies to gain a holistic view and tackle the issue of food insecurity in Africa. This study reviews the levels of processing of African foods, challenges, and future directions.

Addressing food insecurity in Africa: Strategies for ensuring child-sensitive social protection

Recognized as a multifaceted challenge, food security is high on the political and socio-economic agendas of many countries. Gaining a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of the challenge of food insecurity in Africa, especially its complex impact on children, can facilitate concerted actions and better targeting of interventions by national governments, international agencies and civil society organizations aimed at child-sensitive social protection.

HIV, Tuberculosis, and Food Insecurity in Africa-A Syndemics-Based Scoping Review.

The double burden of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), coupled with endemic and problematic food insecurity in Africa, can interact to negatively impact health outcomes, creating a syndemic. For people living with HIV/AIDS (PWH), food insecurity is a significant risk factor for acquiring TB due to the strong nutritional influences and co-occurring contextual barriers. We aim to synthesize evidence on the syndemic relationship between HIV/AIDS and TB co-infection and food insecurity in Africa. We conducted a scoping review of studies in Africa that included co-infected adults and children, with evidence of food insecurity, characterized by insufficient to lack of access to macronutrients. We sourced information from major public health databases. Qualitative, narrative analysis was used to synthesize the data. Of 1072 articles screened, 18 articles discussed the syndemic effect of HIV/AIDS and TB co-infection and food insecurity. Reporting of food insecurity was inconsistent, however, five studies estimated it using a validated scale. Food insecure co-infected adults had an average BMI of 16.5–18.5 kg/m2. Negative outcomes include death (n = 6 studies), depression (n = 1 study), treatment non-adherence, weight loss, wasting, opportunistic infections, TB-related lung diseases, lethargy. Food insecurity was a precursor to co-infection, especially with the onset/increased incidence of TB in PWH. Economic, social, and facility-level factors influenced the negative impact of food insecurity on the health of co-infected individuals. Nutritional support, economic relief, and psychosocial support minimized the harmful effects of food insecurity in HIV–TB populations. Interventions that tackle one or more components of a syndemic interaction can have beneficial effects on health outcomes and experiences of PWH with TB in Africa.

The impact of agricultural producer price on sustainable food security in Africa – a system GMM approach

Purpose. Given the efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for food security by 2030, this study investigates the moderating impact of public investments in agriculture on the agricultural producer price – agricultural sustainability nexus in 40 African countries covering the period from 2000 till 2019.
 Methodology / approach. In this study we used multiple regression techniques to explore a dynamic panel data model based on the one-step system Generalized Method of Moments (System-GMM). Proposed by Arellano and Bover and further developed by Blundell and Bond, the System-GMM estimator was preferred over other techniques because of its efficiency in eliminating the simultaneous biases that are associated with regression model estimations. Specifically, the one-step System-GMM was preferred over the two-step System-GMM for our estimation due to the efficiency of its optimal weighting matrices.
 Results. The study discovered that although the interactions between public investments on agriculture and agricultural sustainability amplify the positive impact of a set of explanatory variables on agricultural producer price to an extent, the impact on food security in Africa is insignificant. The study also discovers that the net effects of a set of interactive terms on producer price in the developing countries in Africa are slightly lower than in the least-developed countries. The weighted average food security index for the period under study was abysmal 44.54%, indicating moderate food insecurity in Africa. 
 Originality / scientific novelty. In the context of food security literature in Africa, this study is the first attempt at exploring the agricultural producer price – agricultural sustainability nexus based on the moderating impact of public investments on agriculture with the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), a composite food security model developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Among our study proposals it is a call for a detour from the current agricultural investment and producer price policies especially the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ regional frameworks which have proved to be less progressive and less transformative to more robust country/sector-specific frameworks that have the potential to better the fortunes of agriculture and improve food security. 
 Practical value / implications. The current state of agricultural producer price in most African countries is ample proof that the role and importance of the producer price have been gravely diminished. Despite governments’ efforts towards improving food security, the evidence as presented in this study supports the fact that those efforts have not achieved much success. The study, which contains a number of recommendations, highlights agricultural producer price as a potentially important driver of agricultural sustainability and sustainable food security in Africa.

Cloud-based System for Agro-Extension Services towards Combating Food Insecurity in Africa

Cloud-based System for Agro-Extension Services towards Combating Food Insecurity in Africa

Impact of agricultural commercialization on household food security among smallholder farmers in Zhombe North Rural District, Zimbabwe

Agricultural commercialization is one of the proposed strategies to alleviate the problem of food insecurity in Africa. This paper contributes to the debate on the impact of agricultural commercialization on household food security by assessing the impact of agricultural commercialization on household food security. Cross-sectional data for the 2017/18 farming season was collected from 165 smallholder farmer households in Zhombe North Rural District in Zimbabwe. A propensity score matching model was used for data analysis. Crop output market participation share (COMPS) and crop input market participation share (CIMPS) were jointly used as a proxy of agricultural commercialization of a household. Findings indicated that agricultural commercialization had a positive significant average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) of 5.25 modified food consumption scores on households’ food security. The paper recommends the promotion of agricultural commercialization as a strategy to improve household food security.

Biochemical and antioxidant properties of cream and orange-fleshed sweet potato

The rate of micronutrient deficiency has been on an increase since the last decade and the utilization of bio-fortified crops could help to alleviate this deficiency and food insecurity in Africa especially in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to compare the biochemical and antioxidant properties of cream-fleshed and orange-fleshed sweet potato. The varieties of OFSP used in this study were mother's delight (MDP) and king J (KJP) orange-fleshed sweet potato while the other variety was cream-fleshed sweet potato (CFSP). The tubers were processed into flour and analyzed for proximate, minerals, anti-nutrient and antioxidant properties using standard methods. The ash content ranged from 4.60 to 7.20%, carbohydrate content ranged between 73.47 and 78.61%. MDP has the highest beta carotene content with 18.83 mg/100g followed by KJP and CFSP. Magnesium value ranged between 124.0 and 148.2 mg/100g, potassium ranged from 1226.5 to 2350.0 mg/100g. Sodium-potassium ratio (Na/K) was <1. The antioxidants properties evaluated were all higher in OFSP than CFSP. The bio-fortified sweet potato showed an improved biochemical and antioxidant properties compared to the CFSP, thus OFSP will be suitable to combat micronutrient deficiency and food insecurity in Africa.

Food Security for All: Causes and Implications of Food Insecurity in Africa

Food is a basic right of all people, however, food security in Africa is being threatened. The main objective of this article is to uncover the causes and implications of food insecurity in Africa. The information was mainly obtained by reviewing literature with similar topics. Food security and food insecurity are both used to find out if people can or cannot access enough food. Poverty, COVID-19, war and conflict, and climate change have major impacts on food security and this is explored in more detail in this article. Improved food security is very vital for a wider reduction of hunger and helps to overcome undernourishment, malnutrition, domestic violence, and poverty. The causes and implications of food insecurity in Africa need to be addressed to ensure that Africa is freed from hunger.

Food insecurity, Eucharist, and community: Reading Jean-Marc Éla’s “shade-tree” theology in light of Balthasar’s ecclesiology

This article discusses how the African church together with the church catholic can develop a theological response to rising food insecurity in Africa. Considering food insecurity is only a symptom of a much broader set of sociological and political issues that determine the church’s response to the problem, this article explores the ecclesiological formulations of Jean-Marc Éla’s “shade-tree” theology in light of Balthasar’s ecclesiology. The differences in Éla’s and Balthasar’s visions of the nature and purpose of the church elucidate the complementary differences between the church as a prophetic community committed to social justice and a worshipping community committed to the performance of the Eucharist. Consequently, engaging the two Catholic theologians highlights the tensions of the church–world relationship the church must negotiate if it is to offer a robust response to food insecurity.

POTENTIAL OF RESAMPLED MULTISPECTRAL DATA FOR DETECTING DESMODIUM-BRACHIARIA INTERCROPPED WITH MAIZE IN A ‘PUSH-PULL’ SYSTEM

Abstract. Poor crop yields remain one of the main causes of chronic food insecurity in Africa. This is largely caused by insect pests, weeds, unfavourable climatic conditions and degraded soils. Weed and pest control, based on the climate-adapted ‘push-pull’ system, has become an important target for sustainable intensification of food production adopted by many small-holder farmers. However, essential baseline information using remotely sensed data is missing, specifically for the ‘push-pull’ companion crops. In this study, we investigated the spectral uniqueness of two of the most commonly used ‘companion’ crops (i.e. greenleaf Desmodium (Desmodium intortum) and Brachiaria (Brachiaria cv Mulato) with co-occurring soil, green maize, and maize stover. We used FieldSpec® Handheld 2™ analytical spectral device to collect in situ hyperspectral data in the visible and near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Random forest was then used to discriminate among the different companion crops, green maize, maize stover and the background soil. Experimental ‘push-pull’ plots at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya were used as test sites. The in-situ hyperspectral reflectance data were resampled to the spectral waveband configurations of four multispectral sensors (i.e. Landsat-8, Quickbird, Sentinel-2, and WorldView-2) using spectral response functions. The performance of the four sensors to detect the ‘push-pull’ companion crops, maize and soil was compared. We were able to positively discriminate the two companion crops from the three potential background endmembers i.e. soil, green maize, and maize stover. Sentinel-2 and WorldView-2 outperformed (&gt; 98% overall accuracy) Landsat-8 and Quickbird (96% overall accuracy), because of their added advantage of the strategically located red-edge bands. Our results demonstrated the unique potential of the relatively new multispectral sensors’ and machine learning algorithms as a tool to accurately discern companion crops from co-occurring maize in ‘push-pull’ plots.

Enabling trade across borders and food security in Africa

Widespread food insecurity remains a daunting challenge in Africa, despite significant gains in global efforts to eliminate hunger over the last three decades. This paper examines the effects of easing trade across borders – through reductions in documents, time, and costs to export and import – on food security outcomes in Africa. To control for endogeneity, this paper employs the first-difference instrumental variable estimator based on panel data covering 45 African countries over the period 2006–2015. The results reveal that poor trade facilitation constitutes a significant driver of food insecurity in Africa. In particular, ineffective trade facilitation is associated with significant increments in the prevalence of undernourishment and depth of food deficit, as well as reductions in dietary energy supply adequacy and access to sanitation facilities. The results show that food availability and food access are significantly hampered by higher documentation requirements and lengthier export and import times. The results suggest that reductions in delays from documentary and border compliance promise to be the most effective trade facilitation reforms to enhance food security in Africa.

Drought Influences on Food Insecurity in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review.

African countries continue to be prone to drought, caused mainly by unfavorable weather patterns and climatic variations which have an adverse impact on rural households and agricultural production. This literature review article accounted for the aforesaid drawbacks and attempted to assess the effect of drought on food insecurity in African countries. This article further sought to dissect the resilience and climate change adaptation strategies applied by African countries to mitigate the adverse effects of drought on food insecurity in rural livelihoods. The hermeneutic framework was adopted in this study, where the secondary data sources were searched from credible bibliographic and multidisciplinary databases and organizational websites. Thereafter, it was classified, mapped, and critically assessed using the qualitative data analysis software NVivo to generate patterns and themes. The NVivo program is a qualitative data analysis software package produced by QSR International and which helps qualitative researchers to organize, analyze, and find insights in qualitative data; for example, in journal articles where multilayered analysis on small or large volumes of data are required. This article has the potential to contribute in theory, concept, policy, and practice regarding best practices, resilience, and climate change adaptation strategies that can be harnessed by rural people. Furthermore, this article has the potential to shed light on the role played by traditional leadership and policy improvements in ensuring there is sufficient food during periods of drought.

Human resources and food insecurity in Africa : adventure in africa solution for African problems

Human resources and food insecurity in Africa : adventure in africa solution for African problems

Household Food Security and Nutritional Status of HIV Sero-Positive Patients in Longisa County Hospital, Kenya

Globally a total of 842 million people was food insecure between 2011 and 2013. The prevalence of food insecurity in Africa is high whereby close to 25% of Africa’s population is food insecure More than 10 million Kenyans are chronically food insecure and 1.6 million have HIV. Food insecurity remains a crucial problem in poor households, and its implications worsen in disease states including Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The purpose of this study was to assess the household food security and the nutritional status of HIV sero-positive patients attending Comprehensive Care Clinic at Longisa County Hospital, Bomet County. The study used a cross-sectional study design on a sample size of 210 HIV sero-positive patients. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, anthropometric measurements, and food security status. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson-moment correlation, Chi-square, Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results showed that 61.6% were females, household food insecurity prevalence was 17.7% About 23.7% of the respondent’s households had severe household hunger. Mean Household Hunger Scale score (HHS) was 1.56±0.061 indicating that most of the respondent’s households experienced moderate household hunger. 7.6% of the respondents were severely undernourished, and 15.2% were moderately undernourished. There was a significant relationship between nutritional status measured by BMI and household food security status at p=0.001. Household food security status measured by HHS and nutritional status had a significant association at p=0.001. Household food security status is a core determinant of the nutritional status of HIV sero-positive clients. Such information provides an ample platform for optimizing ART, enhancing rehabilitation, and adherence to treatment.

Collateral: The Sword of Damocles of the Small-scale Farmers; Land Tenure Issues in Africa

Introduction:Numerous studies have been conducted on tenure and how it affects agricultural productivity. However, in Africa, its complexity emanates from the existence of various types of land tenure systems. This study examined hypotheses derived from the economic theory of property rights.Problem Statement:It is difficult to comprehend the manner in which land tenure issues influences farmer incentives. A perception is held regarding the complexity of instituting policy reforms to ‘fix’ tenure problems.Methodology:Thе еconomic rеѕеarch rеѕultѕ rеlatеd to land tеnurе, tеnurе ѕеcurity and thеir impact on land invеѕtmеntѕ and agricultural productivity, and how thеѕе rеlatе to hypothеѕеѕ gеnеratеd from thе еconomic thеory of propеrty rightѕ in Africa were evaluated. The study is essentially a qualitative approach and is based on literature review and secondary data sources.Results:There is an intimate link between Land tenure development and various constructs of political economic issues such as governance, democracy, empowerment, social justice, equity and development. Consequently, until the recognition of historical issues and political challenges associated with resource redistribution, any solutions to land and tenure questions will lack context and will fail to fulfil the crucial aim of transforming property relations and creating social change. There are convergence and divergence of economic research on land tenure.Conclusion:Land tenure reform is a time-consuming process requiring thorough public consultation and careful preparation. Recently, many international organisations and governments have embarked on land purchases/grabs in Africa exposing smallholder farmers to the arbitrary land acquisition and hence, exacerbating food insecurity in Africa.