Despite growing concerns over food security and a food import bill that gulps $25 billion annually, Africa has failed to significantly increase its average yields per hectare when compared to its Asian peers, researchers say.
Most Asian countries have been able to rapidly increase their yields in recent years adopting modern farming techniques, effective fertiliser usage, technology and effective soil management.
“In Africa, the little increase in production recorded has basically been in land expansion while in Asia, production increase has been increases in farm yield per hectare. Africa has to go the Asian way to increase its yields significantly,” Bernard Vanlauwe, director R4D- Central Africa and Natural Resources Management, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) said during a panel discussion at the on-going African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Kigali, Rwanda.
“Low use of fertilisers and technology has limited yields gaps in Africa. Africa has made progress in increasing its fertiliser usage since the Abuja declaration, but much more still needs to be done,” Vanlauwe says.
He stated that Africa has to adopt a holistic approach that is sustainable and efficient in increasing its farm yields, while he adds that the continent cannot afford to wait any longer as its population growth rate keeps rising.
Low yield of agricultural produce are consistently stifling targets of Africa’s smallholder farmers and has continued to limit their expansion and negatively impacted on their livelihood.
As a result, Africa’s capacity to avoid food crisis is put in doubt. With a population 1.2 billion and potential to reach 2.5 billion by 2025, experts foresee danger in Africa if nothing is done to increase agricultural output.
“Fertilisers are important ingredient but it is mostly mismanaged by smallholder farmers in Africa. The farmers have to know when to apply it, what quantity and time as well as adopt good farming practices,” Vanlauwe who was earlier quoted says.
The researchers’ also identified good agronomy practices as one of the major drivers of soil fertility and productivity.
The researchers who made this known during a panel discussion at the on-going African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Kigali, Rwanda, urges Africa leaders to adopt the Asian model to increase its farm yields per hectare, if it hopes to feed its rapid growing population.
Rebbie Harawa, head soil fertility and fertilisers systems, AGRA calls for the adoption of sustainable systems to ensure good health of the soils across Africa.
“There is also a need for partnerships by all actors in the sector to achieve this,” Harawa adds.
Data from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), states that Africa produces over 54 percent of the world’s cassava with an average yield of 10 MT per hectare compared with an average of 22MT per hectare in Asia.
Similarly, for maize, which is the most consumed grain on the continent, Africa has an average yield per hectare of 3MT while Asia has an average yield of 3.9 MT per hectare.
“Africa has to do better in soil management and improve on soil fertility to close its huge yield gap,” Ishmael Sunga, chief executive officer, SACAU said.
Josephine Okojie, Kigali
