Solutions to Food Insecurity in Africa

Below as stated are few solutions proposed to end food insecurity in Africa

Sustainable Agriculture

High amounts of inputs (i.e., fertilizers, pesticides, intensive irrigation) are required to boost the agricultuaral sector of the economy. If industrial agricultural inputs and infrastructure are expensive, farmers should rely on fossil fuels, and degrade the environment in numerous ways, many experts agree that relying upon unsustainable agriculture will, in the long term, increase global food insecurity. Studies involving small farms have indicated that sustainable agricultural practices can actually increase yield.

Improving agricultural biodiversity

Improving agricultural biodiversity  through sustainable agricultural practices may also alleviate food insecurity.
Industrial agriculture relies upon monocropping, in which one genetic type of crop is planted on large tracts of land, while sustainable farms frequently plant a genetically diverse array of both crop type and species. Monocropping increases crop susceptibility to both pests and diseases; several historical famines and crop decimations were due to a pest or disease devastating monocropped agricultural plantings.  With monocropping also comes an increased need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can erode soil biodiversity and in turn negatively affect yields over time.   Enhancing biodiversity through the use of sustainable agricultural practices can protect communities from food insecurity associated with both crop loss and decreased yield.

Government Policy Changes

A policy change that champions sustainable, locally produced food, including increased incentives for local farmers and for markets where fresh, healthful food is available, can increase community food security. Community gardening, home gardening, and urban farming are other ways in which sustainable grown, local food can be used to improve community food security.

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