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We investigated the trajectory of depressive symptoms ("depression") from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa (March 2020) until 2021, between individuals with and without pre-pandemic depression, specifically regarding the role of food security. Our investigation used publicly available panel data (N = 6,930) from the South African National Income Dynamics Study Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (SA-NIDS-CRAM from 2020–2021) on those who had also participated in the pre-pandemic South African National Income Dynamics Study (SA-NIDS, 2017) depression interview. We investigated trends in depressive symptomatology (based on a 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire) at SA-NIDS-CRAM Wave 2 (July 2020), Wave 3 (February 2021) and Wave 5 (May 2021). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with post-estimation linear combinations of estimators were fitted to investigate the roles of pre-pandemic depression (based on 2017 SA-NIDS data) and food insecurity during the pandemic on depressive symptomatology. During the pandemic, the highest levels of depression were observed consistently among those with pre-pandemic depression and food insecurity; and were lowest among those without pre-pandemic depression and food security. Depressive symptomatology rose in nearly equal magnitude during the early phases of the pandemic in two groups: those without pre-pandemic depression but food insecure during the pandemic; as well as those with pre-pandemic depression but food secure during the pandemic. However, this dynamic changed later in the pandemic, when higher depressive symptomatology was observed in the group with both pre-pandemic depression and food insecurity, widening the gap between them from Wave 3 (adj β = 0.63, p < 0.01) to Wave 5 (adj β = 0.79, p < 0.01). Our results highlight the importance of addressing both population mental health and food insecurity, particularly at the early stages of a crisis/disaster. As we showed that mental health impact is linked to food insecurity during a pandemic, strengthening social protection measures, especially around food and nutrition, would help build resilience to crises in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While food insecurity is a persistent public health challenge, its long-term association with depression at a national level is unknown. We investigated the spatial heterogeneity of food insecurity and its association with depression in South Africa (SA), using nationally-representative panel data from the South African National Income Dynamics Study (years 2008–2015). Geographical clusters ("hotpots") of food insecurity were identified using Kulldorff spatial scan statistic in SaTScan. Regression models were fitted to assess association between residing in food insecure hotspot communities and depression. Surprisingly, we found food insecurity hotspots (p < 0.001) in high-suitability agricultural crop and livestock production areas with reliable rainfall and fertile soils. At baseline (N = 15,630), we found greater likelihood of depression in individuals residing in food insecure hotspot communities [adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 1.13, 95% CI:1.01–1.27] using a generalized linear regression model. When the panel analysis was limited to 8,801 participants who were depression free at baseline, residing in a food insecure hotspot community was significantly associated with higher subsequent incidence of depression (aRR = 1.11, 95% CI:1.01–1.22) using a generalized estimating equation regression model. The association persisted even after controlling for multiple socioeconomic factors and household food insecurity. We identified spatial heterogeneity of food insecurity at a national scale in SA, with a demonstrated greater risk of incident depression in hotspots. More importantly, our finding points to the "Food Security Paradox", food insecurity in areas with high food-producing potential. There is a need for place-based policy interventions that target communities vulnerable to food insecurity, to reduce the burden of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Bambara groundnut has the potential to be used to contribute more the climate change ready agriculture. The requirement for nitrogen fixing, stress tolerant legumes is clear, particularly in low input agriculture. However, ensuring that existing negative traits are tackled and demand is stimulated through the development of markets and products still represents a challenge to making greater use of this legume. World agriculture is currently based on very limited numbers of crops, representing a significant risk to food supplies, particularly in the face of climate change which is expected to increase the frequency of extreme events. Minor and underutilised crops can help to develop a more resilient and nutritionally dense future agriculture. Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.[, as a drought resistant, nitrogen-fixing, legume has a role to play. However, as with most underutilised crops, there are significant gaps in knowledge and also negative traits such as 'hard-to-cook' and 'photoperiod sensitivity to pod filling' associated with the crop which future breeding programmes and processing methods need to tackle, to allow it to make a significant contribution to the well-being of future generations. The current review assesses these factors and also considers what are the next steps towards realising the potential of this crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underutilised grain legumes are being promoted as part of crop diversification efforts. However, the lack of comparable information to major legumes is limiting these efforts. The first benchmarking study to compare development and productivity of selected underutilised [bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and cowpea (Vigna inguiculata) and major [groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)] grain legumes under varying environments was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa during 2015/16 and 2016/17. A completely randomised block design with three replications was used at all sites. Crop phenology, yield, water use (ET) and water productivity (WP) were determined for the crops. Data were analysed separately using ANOVA. Biplot analysis was done using GGE. Bambara groundnut was slow to emerge across sites and seasons (> 211 degree days). Common bean was early maturing (< 1677 degree days) while groundnut and bambara groundnut were late maturing (> 1699 degree days). Yield varied significantly (P < 0.05) across environments and seasons. For all environments, common bean had the lowest ET (208-313 mm); bambara groundnut had the highest ET (437 mm), which was recorded during 2015/16. The highest and lowest WP (0.98 and 0.12 kg m−3, respectively) were observed for groundnut. Cowpea had the most stable WP (0.28-0.38 kg m−3). Based on mean values, the major legumes out-yielded the underutilised grain legumes. Crops behaved differently across different environments. The potential of bambara groundnut was limited to sandy soils. There is need for investments in improving yield of underutilised grain legumes to make them more attractive for crop diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water productivity (WP) is becoming a key issue in understanding the relationship between water availability and rainfed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) yields in agricultural systems across sub–Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine water productivity of three sorghum genotypes under different environmental conditions. Three sorghum genotypes, a hybrid (PAN8816), a commercial open-pollinated variety (Macia) and a landrace (Ujiba) were planted at two sites (Ukulinga and Mbumbulu) in South Africa during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. High clay content in Mbumbulu lowered plant available water in the soil compared to Ukulinga. Sorghum adapted to low water availability by significantly (P < 0.05) lowering plant growth (green leaf number, plant height and canopy cover), crop physiology (chlorophyll content index and stomatal conductance), biomass and grain yield. Ujiba and PAN8816 genotypes hastened phenological development, whilst Macia delayed phenological development in response to low water availability. Total and grain WP were lower at Mbumbulu (14.93 and 7.49 kg/ha/mm) relative to Ukulinga (21.49 and 11.01 kg/ha/mm), respectively. Results showed that Macia had significantly higher (P < 0.05) WP (10.51 kg/ha/mm) relative to PAN8816 (9.34 kg/ha/mm) and Ujiba (7.90 kg/ha/mm). Lack of significant genotypic differences in grain WP highlights that all three genotypes are equally suitable for production under sub–optimal and dryland conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]