Arguing that action focused on agriculture alone will not end food insecurity either, which calls for new approaches covering multiple sectors from rural infrastructure to health services, to new forms of social protection and empowering local communities? Ensuring that the poor and vulnerable have greater voice through strengthened local government and civil society groups is also needed to ensure food security for all. The quickening pace of change and new economic vitality on the continent make this an opportune time for action.

  In yet another paradox, sub-Saharan Africa's high rates of economic growth in recent years - some of the fastest in the world - and improvements in life expectancy and schooling have not led to commensurate improvements in food security.

With more than one in four of its 900 million people undernourished, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world's most food-insecure region. At the moment, more than 15 million people are at risk in the Sahel alone - across the semi-arid belt. Hunger and extended periods of malnutrition not only devastate families and communities in the short term, but leave a legacy with future generations which impairs livelihoods and undermines human development.

Freedom from hunger enables people to live productive lives and realize their full potential. In turn, higher levels of human development can further improve the availability of food, creating a virtuous cycle for all.

Increasing agricultural productivity: With a population projected to exceed two billion sometime after 2050, Sub-Saharan Africa will need to produce substantially more food, while mitigating the stresses which agricultural production places on the environment. Ending decades of bias against agriculture and women, countries must put into place policies which provide farmers with the inputs, infrastructure, and incentives which will enable them to lift productivity. Encouraging the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Africa's growing youth population to further stimulate rural economies is particularly important. With two-thirds of working Africans making a living off the land, policies promoting agricultural productivity would stimulate economic growth, pulling people out of poverty through job and income creation, and increasing their capacity to save and invest in the future. This will also enable a more sustainable use of land and water resources.