The nature, extent and causes of food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa

Food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to exist, in spite of the rising awareness of the problem within and outside of the region. The traditional explanations tend to focus on such factors as the absence of the necessary technical expertise and corrupt administrations failing to liberalise food production and imports. Others, returning to themes developed in the traditional ‘Dependency’ literature, have pointed to the possibility that prevalent food insecurity in SSA serves the interests of those seeking to obtain plentiful and cheap supplies of the much-needed raw materials which the region possesses. This research paper considers the nature, extent and causes of food insecurity in SSA. The analysis shows (1) the problem of food security in SSA is extensive and has worsened over the recent past in contrast to most other developing countries, and (2) the source of the problem is the global and domestic institutional environments which condition food production and price in the region and which are shaped by the necessity of the regions continue role as a global provider of cheap raw materials for the developed world. The implication of the study is that a basic food self-sufficiency strategy is indispensable for attaining greater food security for the majority of the SSA populations, and their attempt to break free of the dependent divisions of labour imposed on them.