Africa human development report 2012: towards a food secure future

Due to misguided policies, weak institutions and failing markets, sub-Saharan Africa has millions of hungry and malnourished people. This first Africa Human Development Report 2012 seeks to look beyond direct causes of food insecurity, such as crop failure, to highlight the social and political dimensions that are inhibiting progress. It argues that policies should be focused on agricultural productivity, nutrition, resilience and empowerment to unleash a dynamic virtuous cycle leading to food security and human development.<br /><br />The report observes that:<br /> for decades policies of national governments and international institutions have neglected Africa&rsquo;s rural agricultural development in favour of urban populations African governments have continued to burden domestic agriculture with high arbitrary taxes while favouring other sectors with subsidies local agricultural capacity is the foundation of food security in Africa.<br />To mitigate the above threats, the report includes the following recommendations.<br /> Boosting productivity needs a coordinated extension system with local experts who understand the local conditions.<br /> Better market access should be improved through market development policies, transport regulation reforms and substantial investment in rural roads, information technology, railways and warehouses. Participation of young Africans should be encouraged and supported.<br /> A multi-sectoral nutrition strategy should involve high level government commitment, adequate resources and nutrition sensitive interventions by the state, civil society, the private sector and the international community. Stresses caused by conflict, climate change, market instability and marginalisation of women should be addressed before they undermine food security. African countries must support the new global architecture for agriculture and food security based on better market access for food importers and fewer restrictions on exporters. Linking social protection to measures that enhance farmers&rsquo; access to technology, stabilise rural markets and commodity prices and improve rural infrastructure can make farmers, households and markets more resilient to food insecurity.<br />