Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa Plant Derived Nutritious Foods— Volume 1

Africa is one of the most food-insecure regions of the world, hosting about 282 million undernourished people, accounting for 38% of the global total of 735 million; and hence the access to adequate and nutritious food remains a big chal-lenge. Degraded land resources, low agronomic productivity, and low nutrient dense foods are the major causes of malnourishment including micronutrient deficiencies in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). More than 50% of people in SSA suffer from Zn deficiency, and 57% of pregnant women suffer from Fe deficiency anemia. Soil and water are fundamental resources for livelihoods and food security in Africa as 60% of people in SSA derive their livelihoods from these resources.