This year’s report presents evidence that the absolute number of people who suffer from hunger continues to slowly increase. The report also highlights that food insecurity is more than just hunger. For the first time, the report provides evidence that many people in the world, even if not hungry, experience moderate food insecurity as they face uncertainties about their ability to obtain food and are forced to compromise on the quality and/or quantity of the food they consume. This phenomenon is observed globally, not only in low- and middle-income countries but also in high income countries. The report also shows that the world is not on track to meet global nutrition targets, including those on low birthweight and on reducing stunting among children under five years. Moreover, overweight and obesity continue to increase in all regions, particularly among school-age children and adults. The report stresses that no region is exempt from the epidemic of overweight and obesity, underscoring the necessity of multifaceted, multisectoral approaches to halt and reverse these worrying trends. In light of the fragile state of the world economy, the report presents new evidence confirming that hunger has been on the rise for many countries where the economy has slowed down or contracted. Unpacking the links between economic slowdowns and downturns and food insecurity and malnutrition, the report contends that the effects of the former on the latter can only be offset by addressing the root causes of hunger and malnutrition: poverty, inequality and marginalization.

This terminal evaluation covers the project "Mainstreaming ecosystem-based approaches to climate-resilient rural livelihoods in vulnerable rural areas through the farmer field school (FFS) methodology", funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The overall performance of the project is moderately satisfactory. The project is relevant in its response to climate change adaptation needs in Senegal. It is coherent in its design and is in phase with the Plan Senegal Emergent (PSE). The evaluation found that the project has contributed to capacity building of institutional actors and farmers organizations on climate change adaptation, resilience and gender equity. Notable results include: capacity building of technicians, relay producers, farmers and agro-pastoralists on good practices of adaptation to climate change, through the field-school approach; the establishment of a climate resilience fund that has allowed to finance micro-projects in rural area; the dissemination of agro-climatic information; trainings on adapted climate change practices at the farmfer field school (FFS) and agropastoral field school (APFS) level.

Small and medium agrifood enterprises (SMAEs) such as processors, transporters and other service providers, play an important role in achieving sustainable development objectives. For instance, they connect farmers to urban markets; make significant investments in rural areas; provide employment to vulnerable populations such as women and youth; and propel the modernization of agrifood value chains. In sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture comprises 53 percent of total employment and 15.5 percent of gross domestic product, supporting SMAEs can have great implications for pro-poor growth and rural transformation. To support SMAEs in fulfilling their potential, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been dedicating research to better understand their policy and technical needs. This publication is such output and aims to provide an assessment of the policy and institutional framework in Senegal shaping the business models of small and medium agrifood processors. This systemic appraisal of Senegal’s business enabling environment for SMAEs was cross-fertilized with an analysis of the business models of three rice millers, resulting in a related FAO technical study 'The role of small and medium agrifood enterprises in food systems transformation: the case of rice processors in Senegal'. The analyses were carried out using a multidisciplinary agrifood systems approach, which looks at policies and institutions related to procurement, operations, logistics, finance, marketing and sales, human resources, and strategic partnerships. Due to its well-articulated policy documents and the extensive research on various aspects of the business enabling environment conducted in the country, Senegal represents a compelling case to illustrate the links between policies and the activities of agrifood processors.

Governments, nongovernmental organizations, donors, and the private sector have increasingly embraced value-chain development (VCD) for stimulating economic growth and combating rural poverty. Innovation for Inclusive Value-Chain Development: Successes and Challenges helps to fill the current gap in systematic knowledge about how well VCD has performed, related trade-offs or undesired effects, and which combinations of VCD elements are most likely to reduce poverty and deliver on overall development goals. This book uses case studies to examine a range of VCD experiences. Approaching the subject from various angles, it looks at new linkages to markets and the role of farmer organizations and contract farming in raising productivity and access to markets, the minimum assets requirement to participate in VCD, the role of multi-stakeholder platforms in VCD, and how to measure and identify successful VCD interventions. The book also explores the challenges livestock-dependent people face; how urbanization and advancing technologies affect linkages; ways to increase gender inclusion and economic growth; and the different roles various types of platforms play in VCD.

In recent years, a renewed focus on agriculture has been evident in policy and development agendas for the African continent, yet little knowledge has been generated on the interlinkages of production, agroindustry and markets, as well as the potentials and challenges for developing these. This publication analyzes the challenges, the potential and opportunities of African agribusiness in the current period of dramatic changes in global agro-industrial markets, and builds a case for agribusiness development as a path to Africa's prosperity. Written by international experts, from agribusiness practitioners, to academic experts and UN technical agencies, this volume fills what the United Nations Industrial Development Organization perceived as a significant gap in knowledge concerning these issues.

The publication discusses how the Knowledge Management Action Plan (KMAP) 2021-2025 connects ADB-wide reforms to improve how knowledge is managed across its business processes and operations. The KMAP strengthens ADB's ability to better deliver tailored knowledge solutions, together with financing, to developing member countries. It emphasizes increasing collaboration, improving the quality and efficiency of knowledge services, making knowledge work more attractive, and using a country-focused approach-all of which contribute to ADB's value addition, boost client satisfaction, and bolster ADB's role as a trusted knowledge provider.

The first of three books in IFPRI's climate change in Africa series, West African Agriculture and Climate Change: A Comprehensive Analysis examines the food security threats facing 11 of the countries that make up West Africa -- Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo -- and explores how climate change will increase the efforts needed to achieve sustainable food security throughout the region. West Africa's population is expected to grow at least through mid-century. The region will also see income growth. Both will put increased pressure on the natural resources needed to produce food, and climate change makes the challenges greater. West Africa is already experiencing rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing extreme events. Without attention to adaptation, the poor will suffer. Through the use of hundreds of scenario maps, models, figures, and detailed analysis, the editors and contributors of West African Agriculture and Climate Change present plausible future scenarios that combine economic and biophysical characteristics to explore the possible consequences for agriculture, food security, and resources management to 2050. They also offer recommendations to national governments and regional economic agencies already dealing with the vulnerabilities of climate change and deviations in environment. Decisionmakers and researchers will find West African Agriculture and Climate Change a vital tool for shaping policy and studying the various and likely consequences of climate change.