Can sub-Saharan Africa feed itself?

Although global food demand is expected to increase 60% by 2050 compared with 2005/2007, the rise will be much greater in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Indeed, SSA is the region at greatest food security risk because by 2050 its population will increase 2.5-fold and demand for cereals approximately triple, whereas current levels of cereal consumption already depend on substantial imports. At issue is whether SSA can meet this vast increase in cereal demand without greater reliance on cereal imports or major expansion of agricultural area and associated biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. Recent studies indicate that the global increase in food demand by 2050 can be met through closing the gap between…

• BA
  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

  Awards: OPPGD1418, OPP1082050
• UO
  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• IF
  International Fine Particle Research Institute
• CO
  Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers
• EA
  Economic and Social Research Council

  Award: ES/L012294/1
• WU
  Wageningen University and Research