Social Inclusion, Innovation and Food Security in West Africa

Abstract

To achieve the United Nations Sustainable Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially goal 2 (SDG-2) which is to “end hunger, achieve sustainable food security, improved nutrition and promote agriculture” this study examines how innovation and social inclusion affect food security in West Africa. The study applies the system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) on a panel data of 15 West African countries for the period 2005–2018. The result from system GMM shows that innovation and social inclusion are drivers of food security. The implication of this is that increased level of social inclusion and innovation in West African may increase the level of food security by about 41.5% and 13.6% respectively. Therefore, the study concludes that to feed the growing African population, social inclusion should be improved to mitigate risk, vulnerability and socioeconomic shocks faced by farming households. In addition, innovation in agricultural should be enhanced to drive productivity, thereby leading to a sustainable food security.

Impact of ICT Adoption and Governance Interaction on Food Security in West Africa

“…There are studies that generally assert that ICT adoption will drive Africa's transformation leading to food security [30]. ICT deployment cum innovation activities could help achieve food security [1,30]. ICTs and innovation in agriculture (e-agriculture) help to ensure food security in three broad categories; through production, postharvest storage, and the supply value chain [1].…”

“…ICT deployment cum innovation activities could help achieve food security [1,30]. ICTs and innovation in agriculture (e-agriculture) help to ensure food security in three broad categories; through production, postharvest storage, and the supply value chain [1]. It should be noted that while production is an essential factor in ensuring food security, other factors such as access to food and utilisation are also important Anser et al [32].…”

“…ICTs are critical in providing farmers with valuable information, such as weather forecasts and crop prices, as well as in educating them about modern farming techniques, to ensure food security [1]. The study by Jere et al [33] carried out in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, the effect of ICT adoption on food security was assessed in the iLembe district.…”

“…The study applied the structural equation model (SEM) on data of 517 smallholder farmers and found that ICT adoption positively and significantly impact food security. Anser et al [1] studied the connections between social inclusion, innovation, and food security in 15 West African countries, using the system-GMM, found that innovation is one of the drivers of food security in Africa.…”

“…One of the visions of global economies is to ensure food security, in order to achieve the United Nations (UN) 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG-2 (to reduce extreme hunger by half and achieve food security) [1]. As population increases, so does the demand for food, thereby posing a threat to food security [2,3].…”