Agriculture and the State of Food Insecurity in Western Africa Emmanuel Mensah Graduate Research Assistant Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, WTAMU Box 60998, Canyon, Texas 79016
[email protected] Lal K. Almas Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics, Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, WTAMU Box 60998, Canyon, Texas 79016
[email protected] Bridget L. Guerrero Assistant Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University WTAMU Box 60998, Canyon, Texas 79016
[email protected] David G. Lust Associate Professor of Animal Science Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University WTAMU Box 60998, Canyon, Texas 79016
[email protected] Muslum Ibrahimov Visiting Fulbright Scholar at WTAMU Azerbaijan State Economic University, Baku, Azerbaijan
[email protected] Selected Paper prepared for presentation at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association 48th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, February 6-9, 2016 Abstract: The world demand for food is growing rapidly due to population increase. Agriculture is expected to play a leading role of feeding a global population that will number 9.6 billion in 2050, while providing income, employment and environmental services. The study assesses agriculture and the state of food insecurity in Western Africa. In the light of slow progress in food security, it is suggested that investments in the agricultural sector that will increase food availability and strengthen the food production system in West Africa should be given immediate priority especially the innovation of family/smallholder farming. Copyright 2016 by Emmanuel Mensah, Lal Almas, Bridget Guerrero and David Lust.