Tapping Potentials of Innovation for African Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Growth : an Africa-wide Perspective

While in the past, increased use of inputs and expansion of agricultural land accounted for a good part of agricultural growth in Africa, improvements in productivity will need to be a major driver of growth in the future. Thus, agricultural innovations are needed to sustainably increase productivity, i.e. output per unit of all inputs, while maintaining environmental quality and resources. Such innovations require enhanced investments in research and development. This study identifies potentials in agriculture and food systems in Africa for enhanced food security. Investment opportunities differ across Africa. In view of the above mentioned goals, it is suggested here that development investments by Germany target countries which reveal potentials indicated by (1) having a track record of political commitment to foster sustainable agricultural growth (2) showing actual progress in sustainable agricultural productivity and (3) prioritizing actions for hunger and malnutrition reduction and showing progress. The records and potentials of 42 African countries are identified accordingly, using comprehensive assessments of agronomic, economic and governance criteria that can be transparently tracke

Use of the Triple-Layer Hermetic Bag against the Maize Weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais (Mots) in Three Varieties of Maize

Maize ranks with wheat and rice as one of the world’s chief grain crops. However, the safety of this important food crop is threatened by pests such as insects, rodents and moulds which results from inappropriate storage methods. Insect pest infestation accounts for about 20-50% of all food crop losses. This study was carried under ambient laboratory conditions of 32± 2oC and 72-88% r.h to determine the effectiveness of the triple-layer hermetic bag in controlling the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Mot) on three varieties of maize (Obatampa, Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong). Five (5) kilograms of each variety with three replicates were infested with 50 S. zeamais and stored for three (3) months in three different types of bags (hermetic, Polypropylene and Jute). Destructive sampling was done monthly to determine the moisture content, viability of each variety and weight loss after storage. Percentage damage of grain due to S. zeamais was assessed on the different types of storage bags. The results show that the high yielding Obatampa was more susceptible to S. zeamais than the two local varieties; Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong. Damage, weight loss and germination rates were significantly (p  higher in the polypropylene and jute bags than the hermetic bags. These were also dependent on the length of storage. The triple-layer hermetic bags were effective against S. zeamais and could be used for storage of maize. Keywords: Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais; Triple-layer hermetic bag; Polypropylene; Jute

Potentials of Innovation for Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa : Strategic Directions for Development Collaboration

Since the majority of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population highly depends on agriculture, returns on investments in terms of poverty reduction effects are often highest in this sector. Furthermore, food insecurity is both a driver and a consequence of conflicts and related refugee flows. Improvements in productivity will need to be a major driver of agricultural growth in the region. Agricultural innovations are key to sustainably increase productivity and ensure food security while maintaining environmental quality and resources. This policy brief proposes a number of measures at a strategic level to inform the “One World, No Hunger” (SEWOH) Initiative by the German government and other investors in their efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition and to facilitate sustainable agricultural development

Potentiels d'Innovation pour la Sécurité Alimentaire et la Croissance Agricole Durable en Afrique Subsaharienne : Orientations stratégiques pour la collaboration en matière de développement

Étant donné que la majorité de la population de l’Afrique subsaharienne dépend fortement de l’agriculture, le rendement des investissements en termes d’effets de réduction de la pauvreté est souvent le plus élevé dans ce secteur. En outre, l’insécurité alimentaire est à la fois un moteur et une conséquence des conflits et des flux de réfugiés qui y sont liés. Les améliorations de la productivité devront être un des principaux moteurs de la croissance agricole dans la région. Les innovations agricoles sont essentielles pour accroître durablement la productivité et assurer la sécurité alimentaire, tout en maintenant la qualité et les ressources environnementales. Ce document propose un certain nombre de mesures au niveau stratégique pour aviser l’initiative «Un Monde sans faim» (SEWOH) du gouvernement allemand ainsi que d’autres investisseurs, dans leurs efforts pour éradiquer la faim et la malnutrition et faciliter le développement agricole durable

Made in Africa : How to make local agricultural machinery manufacturing thrive?

Manufacturing can play a key role in sustained economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in Africa. Agricultural machinery manufacturing can contribute to driving overall manufacturing, given the increasing demand for mechanization from Africa’s 85 million farms and the rapidly growing agro-food processing sector. But while agricultural mechanization creates large opportunities for manufacturing, harnessing this potential in today’sglobalized world requires African manufacturers to compete with (low-cost) imports from today’s manufacturing powerhouses such as India and China. This policy brief presents insights from a study on the characteristics, opportunities, and challenges for local agricultural machinery manufacturers in four African countries, Benin, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria. The policy brief is based on a survey among ca. 400 randomly chosen manufacturers which assessed business characteristics and opportunities and challenges. The survey was supplemented with qualitative methods (participatory mapping, key-informant interviews) to examine key factors and actors affecting the enabling business environment of local manufacturing – and to derive policy recommendations on how to make local agricultural machinery manufacturing thrive

Moving from Productivity to Sustainability in Agricultural Education? : Perspectives from Students and Teachers in four African Countries

It is unclear to what extent environmental and social sustainability goals have been included into agricultural education systems, which have traditionally been focused on increasing agricultural productivity. In sub-Saharan Africa, the urgent need to increase productivity while also ensuring environmental and social sustainability has led to significant calls for developing a skill set among the next generation of professionals to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. This exploratory study assesses the perceptions of students and teachers from various universities and vocational agricultural schools regarding the integration of sustainability topics into course curricula based on a survey comprising over 400 students and 300 teachers from four countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria).Using a set of sustainability indicators, this research aimed to uncover the current state and perceptions of sustainability education in agriculture, and whether the necessary conditions are in place for the integration of sustainability into course curricula. The findings revealed that agricultural education in sub-Saharan Africa covers a broad range of topics across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Additionally, teachers hold advanced degrees on a range of sustainability topics, giving a pool of expertise within agricultural institutions. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for training to facilitate the mainstreaming of sustainability in course curricula. Challenges hindering the integration of sustainability in course curricula include structural issues such as limited access to relevant course materials, and poor linkages between agricultural education institutions and other stakeholders within the agricultural innovation systems. These barriers highlight the need for an adjustment of the syllabus and the mainstreaming of innovative methods and technologies to better incorporate sustainability into agricultural education. The findings call for policies that apply an innovation systems approach to curriculum design and implementation. This includes fostering stronger connections between educational institutions and the other stakeholders within the agricultural innovation system to enhance the sustainability and impact of agricultural education

Mechanization, digitalization, rural youth: Stakeholder perceptions on mega-topics for African agricultural transformation

Agricultural mechanization, digital agriculture, and rural youth engagement are three megatrends occupying policymakers focused on agricultural transformation across Africa. Each of these topics is associated with debates on opportunities and risks and appropriate policy actions. While the contested nature of these debates becomes visible in (international) research discourses and policy fora, little is known about the viewpoints of local stakeholder groups on the national level. This can undermine policy-making, leading to “wrong” policies or policies that are not prioritized by local stakeholders, which, in turn, can undermine the implementation of such policies on the ground. This paper explores the viewpoints of 195 stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors (civil society) as well as from development partners and research bodies in four African countries, namely, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mali. The results suggest that the stakeholders perceive a need for agricultural transformation using mechanization and digital tools. However, they also perceive risks that have to be addressed. The results also reveal some hitherto neglected aspects. Examples include the role of animal traction as part of agricultural mechanization strategies and the continued appeal of state-led mechanization – despite the perception that such strategies do not work. Regarding digital agriculture, the stakeholders expressed high hopes – which have yet to materialize - but also concerns about a digital divide. Gender, age, and education influence the viewpoints on some topics, but not on others. Paying more attention to the perspectives of local stakeholder groups will help to choose and design the most promising policies and ensure their implementation on the ground

Impacts of agricultural mechanization: Evidence from four African countries

Agricultural mechanization is on the rise in Africa. A widespread replacement of manual labor will change the face of African agriculture. Despite this potentially transformative role, only few studies have looked at the potential effects of mechanization empirically, mostly focusing on yields and labor alone. This is the first paper that explores agronomic, environmental and socioeconomic effects together, thereby revealing linkages and trade- offs, some of which have been hitherto unknown. Data were collected using a novel data collection method called “Participatory Impact Diagrams” in four countries: Benin, Kenya, Nigeria and Mali. In 130 gendered focus group discussions, 1,330 respondents from 87 villages shared positive and negative effects experienced due to agricultural mechanization and were able to develop their own theory of change. This is the first study that gives a voice to the rural population on mechanization and allows them to identify causal impact chains. Regarding agronomic and environmental aspects, respondents perceived mechanization as a way to reduce labor shortages, improve timeliness and enhance land preparation, leading to higher yields. However, it is also associated with the cutting of farm trees as well as farmland expansion, and, subsequently, deforestation and a decline in firewood availability. Respondents also experienced that (plough-based) mechanization can have detrimental effects on soil fertility and cause erosion, which was associated with yield drops and risks in the long-term. Regarding socioeconomic effects, mechanization was reported to increase incomes, reduce drudgery and free up time for other farm and off- farm activities. However, mechanization was also linked with social tensions and conflicts, for example, related to land issues, which can pitch farmers against pastoralists. Tensions and conflicts also play out across gender. Some effects remain ambiguous. For example, depending on local factors, mechanization reportedly increases or decreases employment. Further research and policy efforts are needed to ensure that mechanization contributes to an African agricultural transformation that is sustainable from a social, economic and environmental perspective

Participation in innovation platform and asset acquisitions among farmers in Southern Africa

Asset development is a crucial tactic for advancing social and economic development in Southern Africa. But until now, there has not been any solid evidence of how asset-building strategies affect Southern African households. This study investigates the relationship between participation in innovation platforms and the acquisition of assets among farmers. Data for the study were collected using a multistage sampling approach. The data were analyzed using the Endogenous Treatment Linear Regression model. According to the findings of the first regression (Probit regression), gender, marital status, years of education, number of male working-class members, number of female working-class members, number of aged dependents in the household, access to extension service and locational effect of farmers in Mozambique have a significant relationship with the participation of farmers in Innovation Platforms. The results of the endogenous treatment linear model for asset acquisition among farmers reveal gender, age, marital status, number of male-working class members, access to extension service, the locational effect of farmers in Mozambique, and participation in the activities of the Innovation Platform are all statistically significant. After controlling for observed and unobserved covariates, the study concluded that participation in the activities of Innovation Platforms has a positive relationship with the acquisition of assets among the farmers than they would have in the absence of participation in Innovation Platforms. Therefore, farmers need to enhance their asset base by participating in Innovation Platforms. This has a significant implication for the attainment of most of the targets of the SDG