Abstract
Improving nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa under increasing climate risks and population growth requires a strong and contextualised
evidence base. Yet, to date, few studies have assessed climate-smart
agriculture and nutrition security simultaneously. Here we use an integrated assessment framework (iFEED) to explore stakeholder-driven scenarios of food system transformation towards climate-smart nutrition security in Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. iFEED translates climate-food-emissions modelling into policy-relevant information
using model output implication statements. Results show that diversifying agricultural production towards more micronutrient-rich foods is
necessary to achieve an adequate population-level nutrient supply by
mid-century. Agricultural areas must expand unless unprecedented rapid
yield improvements are achieved. Whilst these transformations are challenging to accomplish and often associated with increased greenhouse gas
emissions, the alternative for a nutrition-secure future is to rely increasingly on imports, which would outsource emissions and be economically
and politically challenging given the large import increases required.
Year
2024
Category
Refereed journal