Diversification of Food Production and Food Security in Africa

ABSTRACT Food insecurity is a major public health concern in developing countries. Several strategies exist to address it, including improving food availability through crop diversification. The aim of this research is to analyze the effects of diversifying food production on food insecurity in Africa. A pooled mean group model was used to assess the short‐ and long‐term impacts of food production on the prevalence of undernourishment and overweight. Data were drawn from 46 African countries over the period 2000–2020. Results indicate that concentration of food production has a positive and significant long‐term effect on the prevalence of undernourishment and overweight. However, there is no evidence of an effect of food production concentration on the prevalence of undernourishment and overweight. Economic policies to combat food insecurity in Africa should be geared towards improving food production. Investment in diversifying food production could help alleviate food insecurity in Africa.