A System Dynamics Model for Subsistence Farmers’ Food Security Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of System Dynamics Applications
Abstract
Food security at subsistence farmers’ level in sub-Saharan Africa has become an issue of concern
due to increasing vulnerability caused by a number of factors such as: changing climate, resource
scarcity (e.g. land and inputs), environmental degradation (e.g. declining soil fertility, deforestation,
and surface water eutrophication), market failures and weak public/donor support initiatives. In light
of these challenges, farmers must be prepared to survive by self-provisioning. To pursue the fastest
and most practical route to improved food security, focus should be on resilience based initiatives at
household and community levels. In this paper, the authors investigate the factors that have enabled
subsistence farmers to succeed despite the previous shocks and stresses, and develop a system dynamics
model for sustainable food security based on initiatives exclusive to the farmers. The model is used to
examine the question: how can innovative subsistence farmers engage in better livelihood and market
orientated production irrespective of external public or donor support?
Description
Keywords
Food Security, Livelihood, Resilience, Sub-Saharan Africa, System Dynamics Model
Citation
Oyo, B., & Kalema, B. M. (2016). A System Dynamics Model for Subsistence Farmers' Food Security Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of System Dynamics Applications (IJSDA), 5(1), 17-30. DOI: 10.4018/IJSDA.2016010102