Pathways to sustainable intensification in Eastern and Southern Africa : looking forward, achieving impact

Abstract

Nearly a decade and a half into the 21st century, hunger and malnutrition are still harsh realities for more than one billion people around the world. In addition to this, the challenge of feeding a growing world population that is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050 has to be met despite a declining resource base and in particular dwindling supplies of water and land. Achieving this challenge while protecting the natural ecosystem that supports agriculture and other human needs will involve finding smarter ways to produce more with less. To do this in ways that create opportunities for those on land, earning only a meagre income, is no easy task.