The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) African Human Development report 2012 says Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of hunger in the world.
It said until this situation improves, the human development prospects of millions of Africans will remain at risk.
UNDP's first African Human Development Report which was made available to the Ghana News Agency on Monday shows that food security and human development reinforce each other.
If African countries are to realize their long-term potential, the report says, they must boost agricultural productivity to both improve the availability of food and reduce poverty.
It said policies to enhance nutrition are central to ensuring that access to food translates into human development.
The report said local populations must have the resources and decision-making power to produce and consume nutritious food throughout the year, overcome the risks represented by continuing conflicts, climate change and variations in food prices.
It said these drivers of change, by ending the ravages of hunger and malnourishment, will nurture capabilities and conditions for human development.
The report noted that a well-nourished and empowered population, in turn, is more likely to seek education, participate in society and expand its productive and human potential.
It said with the right policies and institutions, Africa can sustain this virtuous cycle of higher human development and enhanced food security.