New Challenges to Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The countries of Sub-Saharan Africa remain among the globe's least developed and most food insecure nations. Policymakers argue that the answers to increased agricultural productivity and financial growth lie in the adoption of Western economic reforms and/or the Asian-style Green Revolution model. This thesis argues that in today's world of climate change and ever increasing food shortages, relying on traditional economic and agricultural development policies is insufficient. Rather, policymakers must more fully examine and understand the scientific and economic impacts of three increasingly important factors: land transfers, water shortages, and the adoption of GMO technology on the future of agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. A secondary, but no less important argument is that the policies implemented by African governments must protect international human rights standards regarding the African people's rights to food, land, and water.