Enhancing food security in sub-Saharan Africa: Investigating the role of environmental degradation, food prices, and institutional quality

In an era of global environmental challenges, understanding the dynamics of food production is crucial,
particularly in regions prone to food insecurity and susceptible to climatic variations. Despite extensive research
on agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a thorough examination of the combined effects of various determinants, including food prices and institutional quality, on food security remains limited. Using panel data
from 2002 to 2020, this study explores the effects of agricultural land, population growth, environmental
degradation, income per capita, food prices, capital formation, and institutional quality on food security in 32
SSA countries. Based on the Pedroni and Kao cointegration test outcomes, a long-run correlation between food
security and its influencing factors is evident. The findings from the pooled mean group (PMG) models reveal
that extended agricultural land leads to enhanced food security both in the short- and long-run. Likewise,
population expansion, rising per capita income, and capital formation drive higher food demand, contributing
positively to food security outcomes. Conversely, environmental degradation poses a significant threat, impairing
food security in the SSA. Mixed results are observed with food prices, where higher prices can both enhance and
reduce food security. The poor institutional quality in SSA correlates with food insecurity. Importantly, the
Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality test results reveal bidirectional causality between food security and most variables,
except for food inflation and institutional quality. The method of moments quantile regression (MMQR)
strengthens the robustness of the study findings. Building on these insights, the study recommends focusing on
sustainable land use practices, effective environmental management strategies, increased agricultural investment, governance reforms, and implementing balanced pricing mechanisms.