Batanai Matsika 
THE food demand outlook in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region remains very strong. Rapid population growth and increased economic prosperity are expected to create substantial demand and opportunities for the agricultural sector on the continent.
The SSA region accounts for more than 950 million people, approximately 13 percent of the global population. By 2050, this share is projected to increase to almost 22 percent, or 2.1 billion.
The major constraint is that total food production (primary crops and meat) has been growing but at a very slow rate of less than 1 percent per year.
This is rather alarming considering the fact that food production growth rate is not statistically different from population growth rate which raises concerns about the ability to self-insure against food insecurity within the SSA region.
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