Lessons Learned From 25 Years of Food Security Research, Capacity-Building, and Outreach

This resource provides a coherent and helpful summary of the Michigan State University (MSU)’s Food Security Group’s research, primarily from Sub-Saharan Africa. Lessons are presented in four areas: The first, Agricultural Growth and Food Security Strategies, suggests that small shrinking farm sizes in many countries will prevent many farmers from escaping poverty from on-farm production alone. Investments in education and non-agricultural sectors will be important. The second, Use of Improved Technology, suggests the priorities and approaches that can best support increased intensification and higher agricultural yields among smallholder farmers. The third area, Market Institutions, Market Reforms and Private Sector Development, identifies the implications of a negative enabling environment and supportive policy options. The final area is Improving the Food Security of Vulnerable Groups. It presents the linkages between agricultural growth and poverty alleviation, interventions that can address food insecurity, determinants of nutritional improvement, and the role of HIV/AIDS on agriculture.