Blog Category

Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa

Climate-Smart Agriculture in South Asia and SSA: Unlocking Triple-Win Potential

Nov 22nd, 2023 • by S. Gustafson

South Asia and Africa south of the Sahara face significant and burgeoning threats to food security and economic well-being as a result of climate change. These challenges are further complicated by rapid population growth in both regions, leading to both an increased demand for food and increased environmental strains and the potential for unsustainable agricultural practices to boost production. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) may be a feasible a solution to these challenges, if implemented appropriately and with local contexts in mind.

Good News for Some Countries, But Acute Food Insecurity Persists Worldwide: Global Report on Food Crises Midyear Update Released

Sep 23rd, 2023 • by S. Gustafson

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2023 Midyear Update finds that while some countries have seen improvements in hunger and malnutrition in the first half of 2023, high levels of acute food insecurity remain worldwide. As in previous years, conflict, climate change, and economic shocks continue to be the main drivers of food crisis, with conflict playing the predominant role from January through August 2023.

Hunger Levels Continue on the Rise: 2022 Global Hunger Index Released

Nov 18th, 2022 • by S. Gustafson

Over the past two years, the impacts of ongoing regional conflicts, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian-Ukraine war have drastically weakened the world’s already inadequate, unsustainable food systems. This confluence of factors has induced in supply chain disruptions and high and volatile prices for food, fertilizer, and fuel, and the result has been the third global food crisis in less than two decades.

Supporting the Hidden Middle: How Enabling Midstream SMEs Can Strengthen Agri-Food Value Chains

Feb 12th, 2022 • by S. Gustafson

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the midstream of agrifood value chains—wholesalers, logistics, and processors—play a critical role to food security and value chain transformation. These enterprises help keep food supplies affordable and stable, provide employment and income for millions of rural and urban workers, and improve food quality and safety for consumers. However, in South Asia, Africa south of the Sahara (SSA), and other developing regions, SMEs often don’t play a role in the food system transformation conversation.

How Can We Lower the Price of Fruits and Vegetables? Exploring Ways to Deliver Vouchers to Consumers

Jan 13th, 2022 • by Kate Ambler, Alan de Brauw, Sylvan Herskowitz, and Oleyemisi Shittu

Fruits and vegetables are a key source of micronutrients in diets, and adequate fruit and vegetable consumption can help stave off non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults consume 400 grams of fruits and vegetables every day. Yet globally, fruit and vegetable consumption often falls far below that target, and research suggests consumption is particularly low in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).