Multi-stakeholder approaches to food security and adaptive governance for sustainable agriculture in Sub Saharan Africa

Abstract

In Africa, the great challenge posed by climate change, population growth, and economic instability to food and agricultural sustainability represent a complex landscape which necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach and adaptive governance strategies in order to set up a sustainable and resilient food system. To direct attention to this problem, this paper examines systematically the common point of economic development, plant breeding, policy practices and agricultural reinvestment. The agricultural landscape is modified by the climate change effect, requiring advanced plant breeding techniques to create crop varieties capable of resisting or be resilient to extreme weather events, pests and diseases. These efforts are pivotal for preserving and improving food security in Africa.  Simultaneously, there is an urgent demand to grow African economies and at the same time assure food availability and accessibility for African fast growing population. However, economic trends, best practices and future policies are crucial to adapt the future of African agriculture. The reinforcement of current policies and by increasing the reinvestment in the agricultural sector, African countries can create good environments for food security and sustainable economic growth. This requires multiple stakeholders like government agencies, research institutions, private sector entities and local communities. Importantly, adaptive governance structures are essential for addressing African agriculture dynamic challenges. The governance structures must be flexible enough to satisfy the market fluctuations, respond to the changing climatic conditions and technological advancements while remaining rooted in the local contexts and traditional knowledge.