Staple crop yields alone will not solve poverty

An exclusive focus on improving staple crop yields in developing countries is increasingly questioned as an effective pathway out of poverty for smallholder producers. Although there is still a major focus on increasing food supply in developing country policies, there is also increasing interest in supporting a more diverse and nutritious set of agricultural products. In this interview, Prabhu Pingali , ISPC Member and Professor, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, USA explains why moving away from ‘staple crop fundamentalism’ to a more diversified food system is crucial as we look at shift towards nutrition security.