One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2023
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land
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of
food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and
socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct
conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between
food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning
approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the
greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience
of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we
obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and
participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections
spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data
on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are
largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions
provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in
sub-Saharan Africa.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
agricultural development, food systems, Sustainable Development Goals