One hundred priority questions for the development of sustainable food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

A. J. M. Devenish, Petra Schmitter, N. P. Jellason, N. Esmail, N. M. Abdi, S. K. Adanu, B. Adolph, Al-Zu’bi, Maha, A. A. Amali, J. Barron, A. S. A. Chapman, A. M. Chausson, M. Chibesa, J. Davies, E. Dugan, G. I. Edwards, A. Egeru, T. Gebrehiwot, G. H. Griffiths, A. Haile, H. G. Hunga, L. Igbine, O. M. Jarju, F. Keya, M. Khalifa, W. A. Ledoux, L. T. Lejissa, P. Loupa, J. Lwanga, Everisto D. Mapedza, R. Marchant, T. McLoud, Patience Mukuyu, L. M. Musah, M. Mwanza, J. Mwitwa, D. Neina, T. Newbold, S. Njogo, E. J. Z. Robinson, W. Singini, B. B. Umar, F. Wesonga, S. Willcock, J. Yang and J. A. Tobias
Additional contact information
Petra Schmitter: International Water Management Institute
Al-Zu’bi, Maha: International Water Management Institute
Everisto D. Mapedza: International Water Management Institute
Patience Mukuyu: International Water Management Institute

Papers published in Journals (Open Access), 2023, 12(10):1879. (Special issue: Social and Environmental Trade-Offs in African Agriculture: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals)

Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: Food systems; Sustainable Development Goals; Agricultural development; Agroecosystems; Environmental impact; Food security; Social inclusion; Gender equality; Women; Food production; Technology adoption; Postharvest technology; Land-use planning; Policies; Investment; Urbanization; Climate change; Natural resources management; Indigenous Peoples' knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iwt:jounls:h052331

DOI: 10.3390/land12101879

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