The worst food crisis in 30 years looms for 50 million people across southern Africa from Mozambique to Angola. Two years without rain has destroyed harvests. Food prices have skyrocketed.

South Africa is experiencing its severest drought in more than a century. Savannahs – grasslands scattered with trees and scrubs, which cover about half of Africa – are some of the most productive environments of the continent, supporting livestock and rural livelihoods.

When on October 16 th , World Food Day is celebrated, people around the globe will come together to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger in our lifetime.

For 700 million people in Africa and the Far-East, yams and cassava represent important crops for food security and as a source of income.

Professor Patrick Kolsteren is a researcher at the Unit of Nutrition and Child Health at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp is the general coordinator of the EU funded SUNRAY research project. ...