Food security in the Southern Mediterranean/North Africa

Abstract

The Southern Mediterranean, comprising the five countries of North Africa, has become increasingly dependent on food imports over the past few decades. High levels of population growth, a variable and arid climate along with scarce and fragile resources are contributing factors. Volatile food prices and political changes in the past few years have exacerbated the problems related to food import dependence, threatening food security. Addressing food security will require sustainable improvement of productivity, better management of natural resources, improved allocation of private and public resources to agriculture, and actions to achieve more inclusive, integrated, and efficient food systems.