Combating Hunger and Poverty in the Tropical Dry lands of Asia and AfricaW DDarauthorThe tropical drylands are characterized by extreme rainfall variability, recurrent and unpredictable droughts, flooding, warm temperatures and a fragile natural resource base with inherent low fertility soils. Crop production is low and over 45% of the worlds hungry people live in these regions. Climate change, growing populations, poor development infrastructure, increasing land degradation and water scarcity make achieving food security in the tropical drylands a daunting challenge. However, success stories from throughout the region show that under optimal water, land and crop management, crop yields and farmers incomes can be substantially increased. Innovative research and development strategies that address natural resource management carried out in partnership with farmers and other stakeholders, and integrating policy, marketing and support services, can address problems of poverty, food insecurity and environmental degradation and bring prosperity to the tropical drylands.Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2011McGill UniversityBook Section