Ninth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about one in four people living in sub-Saharan Africa suffers from chronic hunger. A major contributing factor to this problem is poverty, causing a majority of people not to grow their own food and also to buy enough food. The second leading factor is Africa’s high population growth rate. This is hampering food demand due to limitation in the amount of food available for consumption coupled with low level of food production. With over-dependence on cash crops, Africa has neglected its indigenous food crops. According to the FAO, only three crop species (wheat, rice and maize) represent virtually half of the average daily calories consumed by the world population. In addressing the problem of the food crisis the continent recurrently encountered, there is a need to re-direct our attention back to the abundant indigenous food crops available by adopting an holistic approach in dealing with food insecurity. Effective harnessing of their potential is decisive in creating new markets and job opportunities, leading to economic empowerment of African people.