Prof. Dr. Stephen G. Agong’, PhD, FAAS

Founding Vice Chancellor and Professor of Horticulture

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

The critical and fundamental question in respect of internalization and globalization with respect to food security, global water space and energy as the primary parameters relating directly to the livelihood of the rural community in Africa remains unattended. In an attempt to deal with this question and motivation, it is important to take a moment of reflection, consideration, review, revelation to unpack this question and motivation. Idealistically, the outcome of this disposition is geared towards assisting students, scholars, researchers, policy makers in looking at the poverty trap, food insecurity, lack of quality water and inappropriate energy support system for sustainable agricultural production. Notably, the world all over needs economic engines and drivers to generate sustainable socioeconomic development without which guaranteeing food security becomes a mirage. Much more so, food security is directly driven by supply of adequate quality and affordable water and energy as the key drivers. The extent of application of these two drivers (water and energy) and the return on investment arising from these drivers still remain largely untapped. The future of Africa’s food security hangs in balance for the greater part of this century unless it can be proven that solution like solar powered farming and availing good quality are practically both profitable and sustainable. Thus, adequate water and affordable energy definitively would fit the equation of being economic engine and drivers needed for sustainable development. In unpacking this question and motivation, Africa has been observed as a good location for this discourse in this current study.