Blog posts

Act now to address Malawi’s looming food crisis

sara.gustafson — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 20:25:13 +0000

Act now to address Malawi’s looming food crisis

Malawi is facing a severe drought crisis linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon. On March 23, President Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of disaster in 23 of Malawi’s 28 districts in anticipation of a poor harvest and appealed for more than $200 million in humanitarian assistance.

sara.gustafson Fri, 04/12/2024 - 16:25 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Southern Africa drought: Impacts on maize production

sara.gustafson — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:29:22 +0000

Southern Africa drought: Impacts on maize production

Parts of Southern Africa have been experiencing a severe drought since late 2023, fueled in large part by the ongoing El Niño Southern Oscillation. Falling harvests have led to disaster declarations in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and affected countries across the region. In particular, maize yields have fallen sharply, threatening food security for millions of households depending on this key staple for a significant share of total calories consumed on a daily basis (Figure 1).

sara.gustafson Wed, 04/10/2024 - 12:29 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Mitigating Climate Change in Ethiopia: Policies and Priorities

sara.gustafson — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:08:55 +0000

Mitigating Climate Change in Ethiopia: Policies and Priorities

Ethiopia is in the midst of the worst drought in the past 40 years, with six consecutive failed or below-average rainy seasons in the country’s pastoral areas. At the same time, flooding in other regions has disrupted livelihoods and caused widespread damage to lands and infrastructure. Climate shocks like these have been a major contributing factor to Ethiopia’s recent economic reversals, says a new report from the World Bank Group, and strong government action is needed to prepare for and adapt to an uncertain climate future.

sara.gustafson Fri, 04/05/2024 - 16:08

Global cocoa market sees steep price rise amid supply shortfall

Brice.Tchinde — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 21:45:16 +0000

Global cocoa market sees steep price rise amid supply shortfall

Cocoa bean prices have climbed to record nominal levels over the past six months, more than doubling since August 2023 (Figure 1). This price spike has largely been driven by weather-related diseases that have reduced cocoa production in key West African countries accounting for almost three quarters of world supplies.

Brice.Tchinde Wed, 04/03/2024 - 17:45 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Sudan Faces Risk of Widespread Famine, Says New IPC and FEWS Net Alerts

sara.gustafson — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 16:56:24 +0000

Sudan Faces Risk of Widespread Famine, Says New IPC and FEWS Net Alerts

As conflict worsens in Sudan, the country is facing unprecedented levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition, according to a new alerts from both Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and FEWS Net.

sara.gustafson Wed, 04/03/2024 - 12:56

Intersection of Water, Food, and Nutrition Security: Evidence from SSA

sara.gustafson — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:40:41 +0000

Intersection of Water, Food, and Nutrition Security: Evidence from SSA

The UN estimates as many as 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. As rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and a growing global population put additional pressures on this critical natural resource, water insecurity will likely become an even more important determining factor in global and regional conflict. In a recent paper in Food Security, researchers examine the role of water insecurity in two other related challenges: food insecurity and dietary diversity.

sara.gustafson Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:40

Conference: Navigating Sudan’s conflict – research insights and policy implications

sara.gustafson — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 16:15:52 +0000

Conference: Navigating Sudan’s conflict – research insights and policy implications

Since the onset of civil war in April 2023, millions of people in Sudan have suffered from loss of livelihoods, destruction of infrastructure, and disruption of essential services. With the war still underway, Sudan is facing the world's largest displacement crisis—with 6.5 million displaced people internally and another 1.7 million driven into neighboring countries—and a surge in acute food insecurity, soaring poverty levels, and extensive losses in income, employment, and productive assets.

sara.gustafson Sun, 03/24/2024 - 12:15

Who’s afraid of high fertilizer prices?

sara.gustafson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 20:30:01 +0000

Who’s afraid of high fertilizer prices?

During 2021 and 2022, global food and fertilizer prices spiked due to several overlapping factors. Demand rose as the world economy emerged from the COVID-19 recession; global supply chains suffered major disruptions associated with the uneven recovery; and the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine—both key food and fertilizer producers—generated yet another shock.

sara.gustafson Thu, 03/21/2024 - 16:30 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Evaluating Fertilizer Subsidies in Malawi

sara.gustafson — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:59:12 +0000

Evaluating Fertilizer Subsidies in Malawi

Since the 1950s, Malawi has used a national fertilizer subsidy program as a way to spur use of inorganic fertilizers, boost domestic maize production, and ensure food security and self-sufficiency for smallholder farmers. According to new working paper from the Malawi Strategy Support Program, however, the national subsidy program may not be the most efficient investment for improving the country’s food security and domestic production goals.

sara.gustafson Fri, 03/15/2024 - 16:59

Do ultra-poor graduation programs build resilience against droughts? Evidence from rural Ethiopia

Brice.Tchinde — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 10:46:58 +0000

Do ultra-poor graduation programs build resilience against droughts? Evidence from rural Ethiopia

A growing body of evidence now suggests that global warming increases the risk of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones (Seneviratne et al. 2021), and these shocks often force poor households to consume less or sell valuable assets, worsening their food security and increasing their vulnerability to chronic poverty. These effects can be particularly salient for women, who often have less resources than male family members even within poor households (Fruttero et al. 2023, van Daalen et al.

Brice.Tchinde Thu, 03/07/2024 - 05:46 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Transforming African Agriculture through Inclusive Agricultural Value Chain Development

sara.gustafson — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 20:37:31 +0000

Transforming African Agriculture through Inclusive Agricultural Value Chain Development

Africa’s agricultural sector has the potential to drive important economic growth and development in the region. Agriculture accounts for 16 percent of Africa’s annual GDP and employs over half of its labor force, particularly youth and women workers. Despite the sector’s vast potential, however, African agriculture remains hampered by low resource productivity and little or no value addition; shocks like climate change, ongoing regional and local conflict, and supply and market disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts have only exacerbated these challenges.

sara.gustafson Mon, 02/19/2024 - 15:37

Multiple Pathways to Better Food and Nutrition Security: Evidence from Uganda

sara.gustafson — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 17:59:24 +0000

Multiple Pathways to Better Food and Nutrition Security: Evidence from Uganda

More than half of the adult population in Uganda is employed in the agriculture and fishery industries, with an estimated 36 percent engaging in subsistence agriculture. Despite the importance of agriculture to Uganda’s economy, however, the country continues to suffer from high rates of food insecurity. Small-scale farmers are often particularly hard hit by the cycle of poverty and hunger due to the vulnerability of their livelihoods to price shocks, extreme weather events, and other disruptions.

sara.gustafson Sun, 02/11/2024 - 12:59

Expanding conflict brings new food security challenges for Sudan

sara.gustafson — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:36:36 +0000

Expanding conflict brings new food security challenges for Sudan

Conflict continues to drive acute food insecurity and food assistance needs in Sudan, according to a recent FEWS Net alert.

Fighting in the country has expanded into Sudan’s southeast region, a major agricultural production and food storage area. The region typically accounts for more than 50 percent of Sudan’s annual domestic cereal production. Conflict-led disruptions to both agricultural production and trade, including destruction of infrastructure, pose a substantial threat to food availability throughout the country, reports FEWS Net.

sara.gustafson Wed, 02/07/2024 - 09:36

Grappling with compounding crises in domestic fertilizer markets in Africa: The case of Ethiopia

sara.gustafson — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:52:05 +0000

Grappling with compounding crises in domestic fertilizer markets in Africa: The case of Ethiopia

Global fertilizer markets experienced significant price surges beginning in 2020 and through 2022 due to a combination of factors, including higher natural gas prices, supply chain disruptions triggered by COVID-19, trade disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and export restrictions. Although parallel increases in international agricultural commodity prices may have cushioned these price shocks, insufficient availability and affordability of fertilizers are likely to have affected yield and profitability of smallholder production systems.

sara.gustafson Tue, 01/23/2024 - 09:52 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Impacts of Red Sea shipping disruptions on global food security

sara.gustafson — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:29:49 +0000

Impacts of Red Sea shipping disruptions on global food security

The recent attacks of Yemen-based Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea have paralyzed shipping through the Suez Canal, forcing exporters in the Black Sea region and elsewhere to consider alternative—and more costly—shipping routes. In early January, A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, the world's second-largest container ship company, announced it would suspend shipments through the Red Sea. Trade volumes in the Suez Canal are down an estimated 40% since the attacks began.

sara.gustafson Wed, 01/17/2024 - 17:29 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Packaging Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices to Increase Farmer Adoption: Evidence from Nigeria

sara.gustafson — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 19:15:23 +0000

Packaging Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices to Increase Farmer Adoption: Evidence from Nigeria

Extreme weather events and the long-term impacts of climate change pose a major risk for Africa south of the Sahara, threatening agricultural production and economic growth and hindering efforts to reduce poverty and food insecurity. Climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) can help farmers better adapt to and mitigate these risks; however, the adoption of such practices in the region remains low.

sara.gustafson Sat, 01/13/2024 - 14:15

Agricultural Cooperatives Could Hold Key to Increasing Resilience to Shocks

sara.gustafson — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 21:31:02 +0000

Agricultural Cooperatives Could Hold Key to Increasing Resilience to Shocks

Strong agricultural cooperatives could be a powerful pathway to protect vulnerable populations from food insecurity caused by shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent paper in Agriculture & Food Security.

sara.gustafson Fri, 01/12/2024 - 16:31

How is Kenya’s National Fertilizer Subsidy Program working?

sara.gustafson — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:59:23 +0000

How is Kenya’s National Fertilizer Subsidy Program working?

The Kenyan National Fertilizer Subsidy Program (NFSP), implemented during the short rainy season in September 2022, has emerged as a pivotal policy in the government’s efforts to expand food production and mitigate soaring food prices.

sara.gustafson Thu, 12/28/2023 - 11:59 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Acute Food Crisis Continues in Congo

sara.gustafson — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 17:57:49 +0000

Acute Food Crisis Continues in Congo

Over 25 million people have experienced acute food insecurity and hunger between July and December 2023, according to the World Food Programme and IPC. The country is currently facing one of the world’s largest current food crises.

IPC estimates that around 3.5 million people are in Phase 4 (Emergency) food insecurity, while 21.8 million are in Phase 3 (Crisis). As many as 900,000 children under five are suffering from severe wasting.

sara.gustafson Fri, 12/22/2023 - 12:57

Sudan’s ongoing conflict disrupts agrifood processing and aggravates unemployment

Daeun.Ko — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:13:37 +0000

Sudan’s ongoing conflict disrupts agrifood processing and aggravates unemployment

The continuing conflict in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), underway since April 2023, is inflicting devastating impacts on the country’s economy and on livelihoods. Model estimates show that production declines across different sectors have resulted in a loss of about $10 billion to GDP—about a third—as of September.

Daeun.Ko Mon, 12/18/2023 - 14:13

Conflict Driving Acute Hunger in Sudan, Burkina Faso

sara.gustafson — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:04:54 +0000

Conflict Driving Acute Hunger in Sudan, Burkina Faso

As noted in the Global Report on Food Crisis Mid-Year Update, conflict remains one of the major causes of food crises worldwide. Two recent alerts from FEWS Net echo this finding in both East and West Africa, where conflict is driving acute levels of food insecurity and hunger in both Sudan and Burkina Faso.

sara.gustafson Mon, 12/18/2023 - 12:04

Fertilizer policies amid global supply and price shocks

Daeun.Ko — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:45:49 +0000

Fertilizer policies amid global supply and price shocks

Achieving efficient and effective fertilizer usage in agricultural production is a critically important economic and environmental policy objective for countries at all stages of economic development, although the nature of the policy problem may vary radically in different contexts.

Daeun.Ko Tue, 12/12/2023 - 11:45

Battling Micronutrient Deficiencies in Senegal and Rwanda: Evidence from 2023 ATOR

sara.gustafson — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:37:24 +0000

Battling Micronutrient Deficiencies in Senegal and Rwanda: Evidence from 2023 ATOR

Africa’s progress toward hunger and poverty reduction has faced significant setbacks in recent years. Multiple shocks, including global and regional conflicts and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased the prevalence of undernutrition and child malnutrition; in addition, significant micronutrient deficiencies persist in the region.

sara.gustafson Sun, 12/10/2023 - 14:37

A new rapid assessment tool for food security risks posed by global price shocks

Daeun.Ko — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 20:48:44 +0000

A new rapid assessment tool for food security risks posed by global price shocks

International food commodity prices have experienced a series of shocks over the past decade. The prices of rice, maize, and wheat spiked in 2007-08 as a result of supply shocks, demand for biofuels, and export trade restrictions. Commodity prices increased again in 2010-11. And most recently, global supply chain disruptions in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent international food and fertilizer prices soaring, though they have moderated somewhat after peaking in mid-2022.

Daeun.Ko Fri, 12/08/2023 - 15:48

Africa's Food Systems on Cusp of Transformation: 2023 ATOR Released

sara.gustafson — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:32:28 +0000

Africa's Food Systems on Cusp of Transformation: 2023 ATOR Released

As 2025 – the deadline for the Malabo Declaration commitments – approaches, African policymakers are taking stock of the region’s progress toward the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework for agriculture-led growth and development and determining what CAADP implementation will look like post-Malabo. The 2023 ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR) examines these questions, with a particular emphasis on the future of Africa’s food systems.

sara.gustafson Wed, 12/06/2023 - 09:32

Model: Sudan’s ongoing conflict could reduce economic output by half and push 1.8 million into poverty

sara.gustafson — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 12:20:31 +0000

Model: Sudan’s ongoing conflict could reduce economic output by half and push 1.8 million into poverty

The outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) caused major disruptions in economic activities in the capital Khartoum and other areas of the country. More than six months later, the conflict continues, and its impacts on Sudan’s economy and on livelihoods are intensifying. Those disruptions, which have also limited access to health facilities and other public goods, are creating an unfolding humanitarian emergency.

sara.gustafson Tue, 11/28/2023 - 07:20 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Hunger in Malawi: The El Niño Effect

sara.gustafson — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:09:58 +0000

Hunger in Malawi: The El Niño Effect

The El Niño phenomenon, occurring on average ever 2-7 years, often causes reduced precipitation and drier-than-average weather in Malawi. These conditions in return result in poor agricultural conditions and reduced harvests. A new project paper from the Malawi Strategy Support Program examines the extent of El Niño’s effects on agriculture and identifies pathways to mitigate the subsequent impacts on hunger levels in the country.

sara.gustafson Wed, 11/22/2023 - 11:09

Climate Shocks Worsen Food Insecurity in Sudan, South Somalia

sara.gustafson — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 21:49:00 +0000

Climate Shocks Worsen Food Insecurity in Sudan, South Somalia

Extreme weather events are driving alarming rates of hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan and Somalia, according to a new series of reports from the World Food Programme (WFP). These trends are expected to continue into 2024.

sara.gustafson Fri, 11/17/2023 - 16:49

Climate Risk to Resilience: Financing adaptation in African countries

sara.gustafson — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 17:03:29 +0000

Climate Risk to Resilience: Financing adaptation in African countries

A caricature of the situation in climate finance, particularly regarding Africa, is a classic vicious circle: Climate finance is not flowing because of the lack of bankable investment plans; the lack of investment plans is due to a lack of faith that climate finance will flow.

sara.gustafson Sun, 11/12/2023 - 12:03 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Southern Africa to Face High Food Prices, Reduced Purchasing Power through 2025

sara.gustafson — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 16:44:12 +0000

Southern Africa to Face High Food Prices, Reduced Purchasing Power through 2025

The current El Niño phenomenon is expected to result in rainfall deficits and below-average harvests throughout Southern Africa in 2024, according to a recent alert from FEWS Net. Poor households throughout the region will likely face reduction in livelihoods and income and difficulty purchasing adequate food.

sara.gustafson Sun, 11/12/2023 - 11:44

Climate Risk to Resilience: Financing adaptation in African countries

Daeun.Ko — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:44:17 +0000

Climate Risk to Resilience: Financing adaptation in African countries

Daeun.Ko Fri, 11/10/2023 - 09:44

Launch of the Nigeria Food Security Simulator

sara.gustafson — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 19:42:40 +0000

Launch of the Nigeria Food Security Simulator

The CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies Nigeria has released the new Nigeria Food Security Simulator. This Excel-based tool allows users to estimate short-term impacts of household-level income or food price shocks and related policy decisions on diets and food security in the country.

sara.gustafson Sun, 11/05/2023 - 14:42

Adapting to a Changing Climate: Adaptation Strategies in Nigeria

sara.gustafson — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 18:36:04 +0000

Adapting to a Changing Climate: Adaptation Strategies in Nigeria

An estimated 23 percent of Nigeria’s GDP comes from agriculture, and as many as 70 percent of the nation’s labor force engages in the agricultural sector. At the same time, approximately 40 percent of Nigerians face poverty and food insecurity, driven in part by low agricultural productivity and low levels of technology adoption. With climate shocks expected to become more frequent and extreme, these smallholder households will be even more vulnerable to reduced agricultural productivity, loss of incomes and livelihoods, and food and nutrition insecurity.

sara.gustafson Fri, 11/03/2023 - 14:36

How Much Is Lost When Disaster Strikes? New FAO Report Looks at Impact on Agricultural Production, Food Security

sara.gustafson — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 18:11:06 +0000

How Much Is Lost When Disaster Strikes? New FAO Report Looks at Impact on Agricultural Production, Food Security

Nearly US$ 4 trillion: That is the amount of global crop and livestock production the FAO estimates has been lost over the past three decades due to disaster events. According to the new report, “The impact of disasters on agriculture and food security,” this equates to an average loss of US$123 billion per year and as much as 5 percent of annual global agricultural GDP.

sara.gustafson Sun, 10/29/2023 - 14:11

Food System Transformation Will Take Strong Coordination and Political Will, Says 2023 Africa Agriculture Status Report

sara.gustafson — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 20:30:33 +0000

Food System Transformation Will Take Strong Coordination and Political Will, Says 2023 Africa Agriculture Status Report

Food systems in Africa have the potential to drive dramatic economic, food security, and environmental transformation in the coming decades, according to the 2023 Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR). Realizing this potential, however, will require significant political will and investment, from both the public and the private sectors, in infrastructure, open trade, research and development, technological innovation, and enhanced education and opportunities for Africa’s rapidly expanding young population.

sara.gustafson Sun, 09/24/2023 - 16:30

Global Report on Food Crises Midyear Update: SSA Continues to Grapple with High Levels of Acute Food Insecurity

sara.gustafson — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:09:11 +0000

Global Report on Food Crises Midyear Update: SSA Continues to Grapple with High Levels of Acute Food Insecurity

While some countries in Africa South of the Sahara have seen improvements in food security in 2023, the region as a whole continues to be plagued by food crises, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2023 Midyear Update. East Africa has been the hardest hit, with nearly 65 million people in the region having experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in the first half of 2023, up 8 million from 2022.

sara.gustafson Sat, 09/23/2023 - 15:09

Webinar Insights: Policy implications for the growing supply and demand of nutrient-dense foods in Africa

Vi.Nguyen — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:00:58 +0000

Webinar Insights: Policy implications for the growing supply and demand of nutrient-dense foods in Africa

The supply and demand of fruits, vegetables and animal products is often insufficient and too expensive for most consumers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, recent evidence suggests that both the production and consumption of these nutrient-dense products is rapidly growing. What are the policy implications of this? And what can governments do to stimulate more inclusive and sustainable domestic value chains?

Vi.Nguyen Tue, 09/19/2023 - 10:00

Six big ideas to advance food systems resilience in Nigeria: Bringing CGIAR Initiatives together to foster collaboration and policy coherence

sara.gustafson — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 16:14:44 +0000

Six big ideas to advance food systems resilience in Nigeria: Bringing CGIAR Initiatives together to foster collaboration and policy coherence

On May 12 in Abuja, Nigeria, two CGIAR initiatives—Fragility, Conflict and Migration (FCM) and National Policies and Strategies (NPS)—brought together policymakers, researchers, and representatives from the private sector and civil society to discuss how to advance food systems resilience amid crises while empowering women and youth. The workshop invited research presentations from six other CGIAR research initiatives working in Nigeria and facilitated lively discussion among all.

sara.gustafson Sun, 09/17/2023 - 12:14 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Horn of Africa Continues to Face Acute Food Insecurity, Malnutrition, and Hunger

sara.gustafson — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 17:06:26 +0000

Horn of Africa Continues to Face Acute Food Insecurity, Malnutrition, and Hunger

The Horn of Africa continues to face severe food insecurity, reduced livelihoods, and hunger-related deaths as a result of several years of drought and failed harvests, according to FEWS Net. The hardest hit regions include Somalia, Sudan, the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya, and southern and southeastern Ethiopia. The situation has been further exacerbated in Sudan and Ethiopia by ongoing conflict.

sara.gustafson Sun, 09/10/2023 - 13:06

The Hidden Middle: How SMEs Are Driving Value Chain Transformation in SSA

sara.gustafson — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 18:32:06 +0000

The Hidden Middle: How SMEs Are Driving Value Chain Transformation in SSA

Debate around how to increase production and consumption of nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables and animal products in Africa south of the Sahara has long centered on overcoming constraints such as high cost. According to a new IFPRI working paper, however, this focus may ignore how grassroots efforts, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and midstream value chain actors, are in fact driving substantial growth in both supply of and demand for these more nutritious foods.

sara.gustafson Wed, 09/06/2023 - 14:32

Unlocking the potential of irrigation for improved nutrition in Ethiopia

Darline.KengneKuate — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 18:03:40 +0000

Unlocking the potential of irrigation for improved nutrition in Ethiopia

Poor nutrition threatens health, exacerbates inequalities, affects economic productivity, and traps countries like Ethiopia in a vicious cycle of poverty. About 38% of children below the age of 5 in the country are too short for their age (stunted). This means that these children live in an environment that impairs their physical and cognitive growth potential. The impairment often begins at conception, as mothers’ diets can also be poor, affecting not only their health but also the growth of the fetus in the womb.

Darline.KengneKuate Thu, 08/10/2023 - 14:03 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Agrifood System Transformation in Rwanda: Development Impacts

sara.gustafson — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:44:23 +0000

Agrifood System Transformation in Rwanda: Development Impacts

Between 2000 and 2019, Rwanda’s economy grew by over 7 percent annually. This rapid and significant expansion was driven in part by transformation in the country’s agrifood sector. A recent project note by IFPRI’s Rwanda Strategy Support Program examines that transformation, particularly how the growth of different agrifood value chains has impacted poverty reduction, hunger and nutrition, economic growth, and employment in the country.

sara.gustafson Thu, 08/10/2023 - 10:44

End of the Black Sea Grain Initiative: Implications for sub-Saharan Africa

Darline.KengneKuate — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:21:47 +0000

End of the Black Sea Grain Initiative: Implications for sub-Saharan Africa

Russia’s July 17 withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), has sparked fears of reduced exports of wheat and other key commodities to developing countries, along with other market disruptions.

Darline.KengneKuate Mon, 08/07/2023 - 13:21 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

Climate-Smart Agriculture in West Africa

sara.gustafson — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:09:25 +0000

Climate-Smart Agriculture in West Africa

The challenges of climate change and food security are closely intertwined, with agriculture both driving and being impacted by extreme weather events. Policymakers around the globe are faced with the need to increase food production to feed growing populations while reducing that production’s negative impacts on the environment. According to a recent article in Global Environmental Change, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) provides an effective way to enhance countries’ climate resilience while simultaneously ensuring food and nutrition security.

sara.gustafson Wed, 08/02/2023 - 12:09

The Ukraine-Russia Crisis and SSA: New Ebook Provides a Look Back and Forward

sara.gustafson — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 17:38:41 +0000

The Ukraine-Russia Crisis and SSA: New Ebook Provides a Look Back and Forward

Africa south of the Sahara has been, and will continue to be, particularly hard hit by the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on global food and fuel prices, according to a new ebook from IFPRI. The book, based on IFPRI’s Ukraine blog and research brief series, provides a regional and country-level overview of the impacts of the ongoing crisis on SSA. It also concludes with policy recommendations and lessons learned to help the region, and the world, better respond to future food system shocks.

sara.gustafson Sun, 07/23/2023 - 13:38

Russia terminates the Black Sea Grain Initiative: What’s next for Ukraine and the world?

Darline.KengneKuate — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:34:28 +0000

Russia terminates the Black Sea Grain Initiative: What’s next for Ukraine and the world?

On July 17, Russia announced that it was terminating participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed exports of grains and other agricultural products from Ukrainian ports.

Darline.KengneKuate Fri, 07/21/2023 - 10:34 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org

122 Million More People Were Hungry in 2022: 2023 SOFI Report Released

sara.gustafson — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 17:24:46 +0000

122 Million More People Were Hungry in 2022: 2023 SOFI Report Released

The number of people facing hunger around the world has increased by more than 122 million from 2019, according to the newly released annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, , a joint publication by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UNICEF, World Food Programme, and World Health Organization (WHO).

sara.gustafson Sun, 07/16/2023 - 13:24

Solar-Powered Cold Storage Technologies and Agrifood System Modernization: Evidence from Nigeria

sara.gustafson — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 15:45:44 +0000

Solar-Powered Cold Storage Technologies and Agrifood System Modernization: Evidence from Nigeria

Food loss and food waste continue to pose a serious challenge for sustainable agricultural growth and food and nutrition security around the world. In many developing countries, lack of modern storage and transportation infrastructure plays a large role in food loss and waste, particularly for more nutritious and profitable but perishable foods like fruits and vegetables.

sara.gustafson Sun, 07/16/2023 - 11:45

How Cooperatives Can Drive Agricultural Transformation in Malawi

sara.gustafson — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:38:35 +0000

How Cooperatives Can Drive Agricultural Transformation in Malawi

Cooperative farming is often seen as potential pathway for smallholder producers to gain access to more lucrative market opportunities, thus improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty. Such is the case in Malawi, where agricultural cooperatives have been prioritized in the country’s 2063 development vision as a way to enhance the productivity and commercialization of the country’s many smallholder farmers. A recent policy note from the Malawi Strategy Support Program (MSSP) looks at the current state of the program and how policymakers can increase its chances of success.

sara.gustafson Tue, 07/11/2023 - 16:38

Using atmospheric satellite data to monitor unfolding economic impacts of conflict in Sudan

Darline.KengneKuate — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:01:45 +0000

Using atmospheric satellite data to monitor unfolding economic impacts of conflict in Sudan

The armed conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 has had severe implications for the country's economy. With disruptions in infrastructure, trade, and agricultural activities, the conflict has led to scarcity of goods, increased food prices, and reduced economic growth.

Darline.KengneKuate Mon, 07/03/2023 - 12:01 ∙

Source:

IFPRI.org