Climate Change and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Batru Wolde Muleta and Tefera Tezera Negera

Climate change affects food security directly through temperature levels and water availability in agriculture and indirectly through its impact on disease vectors and pests. This paper investigates the economic impact of climate change on food security in Su-Saharan Africa. Panel data from all Su-Saharan African countries are used to analyze the impact of temperature and precipitation on food security. Their coefficient of variation is used to analyze their impact on food security. The results from the analysis show that the coefficient of variations in both temperature and precipitation affects food security negatively. The climate variables affect food security directly through their impact on food production and indirectly through their impact on other food security indicators. According to the findings, the impact of climate change on food security in the region is damaging. The study recommends ecosystem management and production system improvement. To overcome the impact, the study suggests appropriate land use policy formulation, natural resource conservation, implementing best agronomic practices, and maintaining population growth at an optimum level in the region

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