scholarly journals Spatial frameworks for prioritization of agricultural research and development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Rattalino Edreira ◽  
Jose Andrade ◽  
Kenneth Cassman ◽  
Martin van Ittersum ◽  
Marloes van Loon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Food security interventions and policies need reliable estimates of actual crop production and the scope to enhance production on existing cropland. We assess the performance of two widely used “top-down” gridded frameworks (GAEZ and AgMIP) versus an alternative “bottom-up” approach that estimates extra production potential locally, for a number of representative sites, and then upscales the results to larger spatial scales (GYGA). Our results show that estimates from top-down frameworks are alarmingly unlikely, with estimated potential production being lower than current production at some locations. The consequences of using these coarse estimates to predict food security are illustrated by an example from sub-Saharan Africa. Our study shows that current foresights on food security, land use, and climate change and associate priority setting on AR&D based on yield potential and yield gaps derived from top-down approaches are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and would benefit from incorporating estimates from bottom-up approaches.

scholarly journals Spatial frameworks for robust estimation of yield gaps

Nature Food ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan I. Rattalino Edreira ◽  
José F. Andrade ◽  
Kenneth G. Cassman ◽  
Martin K. van Ittersum ◽  
Marloes P. van Loon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Yield Gaps

AbstractFood security interventions and policies need reliable estimates of crop production and the scope to enhance production on existing cropland. Here we assess the performance of two widely used ‘top-down’ gridded frameworks (Global Agro-ecological Zones and Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project) versus an alternative ‘bottom-up’ approach (Global Yield Gap Atlas). The Global Yield Gap Atlas estimates extra production potential locally for a number of sites representing major breadbaskets and then upscales the results to larger spatial scales. We find that estimates from top-down frameworks are alarmingly unlikely, with estimated potential production being lower than current farm production at some locations. The consequences of using these coarse estimates to predict food security are illustrated by an example for sub-Saharan Africa, where using different approaches would lead to different prognoses about future cereal self-sufficiency. Our study shows that foresight about food security and associated agriculture research priority setting based on yield potential and yield gaps derived from top-down approaches are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and would benefit from incorporating estimates from bottom-up approaches.

scholarly journals Climate Smart Agriculture as Final Goal: Use of Improved Cereals Varieties in Cinzana, Mali.

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Kalifa TRAORE ◽  
Daouda SIDIBE ◽  
Harouna COULIBALY
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Farmer Organizations ◽  
Conservation Technology ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Climate variability and change are recognized as the greatest challenge to crop production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. This work assesses farmers’ perception on the contribution of improved varieties of sorghum and millet in the search for food security in Cinzana rural commune of Mali in the current context of climate change.The methodology was based on focus group surveys with both, the decentralized technical services, administrative and municipal authorities, NGOs, farmer organizations and producers but also farmer exchanges visits on improved varieties tested in farmer’s field.The result shows that climate change is described by the majority of farmers (87%) as decrease in rainfall amount and length of rainy seasons, high increases in temperature and high deforestation and water scarcity. Unpredictability of climate, (80%), drought (70%) and heavy rain (65%) occurrence were identified as major perception of farmers on risks in climate for crop production and soil degradation. After farmers’ study tour, 80% of the participants mentioned a better growth of plants and increase of soil moisture with the use of contour ridges tillage as a water conservation technology. Adapted cycle (55%) and higher yield (37%) of improved varieties were farmer’s main drivers for adoption of improved millet and sorghum varieties.The study revealed that local farmers have substantial knowledge on climate variabilities and risks and also are aware of some adaptation strategies. However, for wide scale adoption of effective strategies, capacity strengthening appeared a prerequisite.

scholarly journals Food security impacts of industrial crop production in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the impact mechanisms

Food Security ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Pawel Jarzebski ◽  
Abubakari Ahmed ◽  
Yaw Agyeman Boafo ◽  
Boubacar Siddighi Balde ◽  
Linda Chinangwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Industrial Crop ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Sustainable genomic research for food security in sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sethlina Naa Dodua Aryee ◽  
Dennis Owusu-Adjei ◽  
Richard Osei-Amponsah ◽  
Benjamin Skinner ◽  
Emmanuel Sowatey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Genomic Research ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractAlthough traditional selective breeding has had a tremendous impact on both livestock and crop production in Africa, this has not kept pace with the high demand for animal and plant products on account of increasing urbanization, improved livelihoods and a rapidly growing human population. These challenges justify the need for more innovative and sustainable ways of improving animal and crop production to meet this demand. Over the last two decades the potential of genomics as a key tool to achieve improvement in desirable phenotypic traits has revolutionized the field of applied animal and plant biology. However, well informed use of such techniques has yet to be fully exploited within the context of local resources and capacity-building. The objective of this review is to highlight the rich agricultural biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, the potential of genomics in their sustainable use for food security, the challenges of genomic research and the strategies that can be adopted to overcome them in the implementation of agricultural genomic research in Africa. The lack of state-of-the-art laboratory research facilities, skilled human resources, poor funding and non-availability of scientific research resources, paucity of collaborative links between African researchers and a lack of engagement between key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain were identified as major barriers that affect agricultural genomic research in Africa. Finally, the recommended strategies to overcome these challenges will guide policy-makers, researchers, development partners and key stakeholders in the smooth advancement of sustainable agricultural genomic research for improved food security in Africa.

scholarly journals Gender Roles, Implications for Water, Land, and Food Security in a Changing Climate: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Bikwibili Tantoh ◽  
Tracey T. J. M. McKay ◽  
Felix Ekwabena Donkor ◽  
Mulala Danny Simatele
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Sub Saharan

Water and land are vital resources essential to ensuring sustainable and productive rural economies. They are also essential for safeguarding food security and socio-economic development. In spite of this, the concept of water-land-food (WLF) security nexus has generally been examined from a top-down manner with women mostly disenfranchised in the access and management of water and land in particular. Concurrently, risks linked with climate crisis aggravate gender inequalities. The limited access to resources, restricted formal rights through top-down management exacerbates the vulnerability of poor rural women. Furthermore, policy development procedures follow a sectoral approach with no account of interrelationship and interdependence between the sectors. This, directly and indirectly limits the stewardship of natural resources and mitigation of the effects of climate change. This study, therefore, examines gender roles and their implications for water, land, and food security in a changing climate through an integrative systematic review of literature in Sub-Saharan Africa. It further explains the importance to consider the nexus in adaptation. Food security and sustainable livelihoods could be ensured if women can freely and adequately access land and participate in decision-making processes.

scholarly journals Priorities for Sweetpotato Research in Developing Countries: Results of a Survey

HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 1200-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith O. Fuglie
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Small Enterprise ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Planting Material ◽  
Sub Saharan

International institutions like the International Potato Center (CIP) strive to provide “global public goods” in the form of improved technologies applicable to large regions of the developing world. To identify priorities for sweetpotato improvement, CIP conducted a survey of knowledgeable scientists in developing countries to elicit their perspectives on the most important constraints facing poor and small-scale sweetpotato growers in their countries. Respondents scored productivity and other constraints according to their importance in the region or country where they worked. Mean and weighted mean scores were estimated to provide a group judgment of the most important constraints facing sweetpotato farmers in developing countries. The survey results showed that there are a few key needs facing farmers in all major sweetpotato producing areas, but there are other very important needs specific to certain regions. The needs that scored highest in all or most of the major sweetpotato producing areas in developing countries are: i) control of viruses (through varietal resistance, quality planting material, and crop management); ii) small-enterprise development for sweetpotato processing; iii) improvement in availability and quality of sweetpotato planting material; and iv) improved cultivars exhibiting high and stable yield potential. Some differences emerged, however, in priority needs of the two major centers of sweetpotato production: Additional priorities for sub-Saharan Africa include improved control of the sweetpotato weevil and cultivars with high β-carotene content to address vitamin A deficiency. For China, other top needs are: i) conservation and characterization of genetic resources; ii) prebreeding; iii) cultivars with high starch yield; and iv) new product development. The different sets of priorities reflect differences in the role of sweetpotato in the rural economy and also different capacities of the agricultural research system in these regions of the world. Compared with earlier surveys, there now seems to be a greater need for postharvest utilization research, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, partly reflecting a demand constraint due to the crop's status as an inferior food.

South-South Cooperation for Social Development

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Hall
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Conditional Cash Transfer ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

Under President Lula (2003–2010), Brazil’s foreign aid program expanded significantly into the area of South-South cooperation. This included the “soft power” fields of social protection, food security, agricultural research, and humanitarian assistance, among others, with a particular emphasis on supporting Sub-Saharan Africa, notably but not exclusively Portuguese-speaking countries. Much of this aid was provided with the support of technical assistance from UN agencies such as UNDP and FAO and bilateral aid bodies, via trilateral agreements, under the coordination of Brazil’s International Cooperation Agency (ABC). South-South collaboration is considered to be morally superior to conventional aid arrangements, being supposedly demand-driven and “non-exploitative,” thus empowering recipients in the process. Brazilian policymakers sought to transfer national anti-poverty initiatives to Africa. This was based initially on the Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, but other nutritional food security initiatives followed, such as boosting small farmer production as well as supporting agribusiness.

scholarly journals Drivers of household food availability in sub-Saharan Africa based on big data from small farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Frelat ◽  
Santiago Lopez-Ridaura ◽  
Ken E. Giller ◽  
Mario Herrero ◽  
Sabine Douxchamps ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Smallholder Farm ◽  
Sub Saharan

We calculated a simple indicator of food availability using data from 93 sites in 17 countries across contrasted agroecologies in sub-Saharan Africa (>13,000 farm households) and analyzed the drivers of variations in food availability. Crop production was the major source of energy, contributing 60% of food availability. The off-farm income contribution to food availability ranged from 12% for households without enough food available (18% of the total sample) to 27% for the 58% of households with sufficient food available. Using only three explanatory variables (household size, number of livestock, and land area), we were able to predict correctly the agricultural determined status of food availability for 72% of the households, but the relationships were strongly influenced by the degree of market access. Our analyses suggest that targeting poverty through improving market access and off-farm opportunities is a better strategy to increase food security than focusing on agricultural production and closing yield gaps. This calls for multisectoral policy harmonization, incentives, and diversification of employment sources rather than a singular focus on agricultural development. Recognizing and understanding diversity among smallholder farm households in sub-Saharan Africa is key for the design of policies that aim to improve food security.

scholarly journals Impact of transnational land acquisitions on local food security and dietary diversity

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. e2020535118
Author(s):  
Marc F. Müller ◽  
Gopal Penny ◽  
Meredith T. Niles ◽  
Vincent Ricciardi ◽  
Davide Danilo Chiarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Land Acquisitions ◽  
Sub Saharan

Foreign investors have acquired approximately 90 million hectares of land for agriculture over the past two decades. The effects of these investments on local food security remain unknown. While additional cropland and intensified agriculture could potentially increase crop production, preferential targeting of prime agricultural land and transitions toward export-bound crops might affect local access to nutritious foods. We test these hypotheses in a global systematic analysis of the food security implications of existing land concessions. We combine agricultural, remote sensing, and household survey data (available in 11 sub-Saharan African countries) with georeferenced information on 160 land acquisitions in 39 countries. We find that the intended changes in cultivated crop types generally imply transitions toward energy-rich, but nutrient-poor, crops that are predominantly destined for export markets. Specific impacts on food production and access vary substantially across regions. Deals likely have little effect on food security in eastern Europe and Latin America, where they predominantly occur within agricultural areas with current export-oriented crops, and where agriculture would have both expanded and intensified regardless of the land deals. This contrasts with Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where deals are associated with both an expansion and intensification (in Asia) of crop production. Deals in these regions also shift production away from local staples and coincide with a gradually decreasing dietary diversity among the surveyed households in sub-Saharan Africa. Together, these findings point to a paradox, where land deals can simultaneously increase crop production and threaten local food security.

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