This is great submission. Food security is beyond just having food to eat but having the appropriate food for a good living and dignity. The manner in which food is produced to meet food security must be responsible taking care for impact on the environment, ecosystem and the ability of future generations to meet their food needs. Hence, food systems must be geared for ethical activities and sustainability.

Solutions to combat food insecurity include systems that improve soil health and can turn deserts into farmland.

Great insights, and it’s good you highlighted a major challenge that impacts the true potential we could be realising with cowpea -the small farmers who produce bulk of the cowpea not having access to beneficial information and equipment that help with productive cowpea growing. The role of extension lapses, socio-economic status of farmers and costly nature of inputs are evident.

We must strive to revamp extension system and provide adequate input and advisory support to farmers that ensure problems as lack of/inadequate access to agrochemicals, pH and soil testing do not constitute challenge to farmers. For instance, pH is one of the key determinants of optimum crop growth and yield; the importance of being able to verify soil fertility and characteristics cannot be overstated and for making prudent decisions with type of crop to grow and soil amendment.

I would imagine that extensive national soil survey has been undertaken that allows farmer cheap knowledge of their soil characteristics and that farmers are able to access this. Or better still, government makes provisions for affordable soil testing.

Diverse means and collaborations leveraging strengths to ensure consistent provision of essential inputs, cheap and accessible, required for a productive farming must be pursued.

You are welcome, Bisola.