One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Adam Devenish*, Petra Schmitter, Nugun Jellason, Nafeesa Esmail, Nur Abdi, Selase Adanu, Barbara Adolph, Maha Al-Zu’bi, Amali Amali, Jennie Barron, Abbie Chapman, Alexandre Chausson, Moses Chibesa, Joanne Davies, Emmanuel Dugan, Glory Edwards, Anthony Egeru, Tagel Gebrehiwot, Geoffrey Griffiths, Amleset HaileHenry Hunga, Lizzy Igbine, Ousman M. Jarju, Francis Keya, Muhammad Khalifa, Wamba Ledoux, Lemlem Lejissa, Pius Loupa, Jonathan Lwanga, Everisto Mapedza, Robert Marchant, Tess McLoud, Patience Mukuyu, Labram Musah, Morton Mwanza, Jacob Mwitwa, Dora Neina, Tim Newbold, Samuel Njogo, Elizabeth Robinson, Wales Singini, Bridget Umar, Frank Wesonga, Simon Willcock, Jingyi Yang, Joseph Tobias*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1879
JournalLand
Volume12
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • agricultural development
  • agroecosystems
  • environmental impacts
  • food security
  • food systems
  • horizon scan
  • social inclusion
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • trade-offs

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