A review of the role of nature-based solutions in mitigating food insecurity in Africa

Abstract

The study explores the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in addressing food insecurity in Africa, with the broader goal of advancing knowledge in this field.To ensure food security for Africa’s growing urban population and meet global climate targets and SDGs, farmers and agricultural producers in semi-urban and peri-rural areas must bear both climatic and non-climatic factors such as floods, droughts, urbanization, land use changes, farmland removals, and deforestation due to shifting land use.The study identified agroforestry, permaculture practices, urban agriculture and rooftop gardens, wetland restoration, cover cropping and crop rotation, aquaponics, eco-friendly pest control, and community-based forest management as components of NbS that can help address food insecurity.Future research should also explore the development and implementation of supportive policy frameworks that facilitate the integration of NbS into national and regional food security strategies.