881 Scientific Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (2014) 3(11) 881-891 ISSN 2322-2956 doi: 10.14196/sjpas.v3i11.1713 Opportunities and challenges in enhancing food production and security in the context of climate change effects in sub Saharan Africa N. Assan Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Bulawayo Region, Box 3550, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. *Corresponding author; Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Bingham University, Nigeria. A R T I C L E I N F O Article history, Received 17 October 2014 Accepted 22 November 2014 Available online 29 November 2014 Keywords, Climate change Crop Livestock Sub saharan africa A B S T R A C T This discussion explores the opportunities and challenges in enhancing food production and security in the context of climatic variability in Sub Saharan Africa. The promotion of sustainable use of plant and animal products with emphasis on satisfying basic human needs, improving people’s standard of living, enhancing food security and reducing poverty have taken a center stage in Sub Saharan Africa. However, the efforts in this direction are being impacted negatively by climate change, through animal and crop production which have not been spared due to the natural disasters and environmental challenges which have affected all regions of Sub Saharan Africa indiscriminately. Climate is a particularly important driver of food production systems performance at the agriculture end of the food chain. It can affect the quantities and types of food produced as well as production-related income especially for the poor resource farmers. In order to be able to adequately address food production and security in the context of climate, there is need for the region to carry out thorough climatic vulnerability and adaptation assessments. Supporting research and training of experts to carry out vulnerability and adaptation assessments on crop and livestock production is crucial in order for respective countries to develop climate change adaptation measures to meet the obligation on food production and security. Sub Saharan Africa’s agro- ecological regions are variable and need to develop specific adaptive Contents lists available at Sjournals Journal homepage: www.Sjournals.com Review article