Macroeconomics of food insecurity in sub-saharan Africa

This study examines the macroeconomics of food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines the claim that a Neo-Malthusian spectre is hunting the region. It argues that a nexus of delayed demographic transition, environmental vulnerability, civil conflicts, wars, misguided neo-liberal policies and dysfunctional institutions have combined to result in chronic food shortages, rising prices and concomitant increased vulnerability of the poor to malnutrition, hunger and in some cases famine. In response to the increased food insecurity, there is a growing call for African Green revolution (World Bank, 2008) in the form of commercialised farming based on massive infusion of biological, chemical, mechanical inputs and high-yielding and drought-resistant seed varieties to raise productivity and output. The paper argues that Green revolution, while necessary, is insufficient to address the complex nexus of vulnerability and insecurity in the region. It concludes by reasserting the conclusion of earlier studies that Green revolution needs to be coupled with appropriate institutional reforms if the perennial food insecurity in the region is to be denied a future.