Why agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa remains low compared to the rest of the world – a historical perspective

Agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa has, in recent times, remained lower than the rest of the world. Many attribute this to factors inherent to Africa and its people, such as climate, soil quality, slavery and disease. This article traces the role of agriculture through history and argues that these are not the main reasons. Before the arrival of European traders, complex agricultural systems existed, which supported food security, manufacturing and trade. External interference manipulated these systems in pursuit of export crops. Independence has not fundamentally changed this; resource and wealth extraction continue to inhibit economic development for Africans in Africa

Exploring the factors causing the poor performance of most irrigation schemes in post-independence sub-Saharan Africa

This article explores the factors causing the current poor performance of most government irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa. The literature review finds that the poor performance is not primarily caused by socioeconomic and biophysical conditions inherent to sub-Saharan Africa. African farmers have adapted to diverse biophysical conditions and expanded or contracted their area under agricultural water management in response to market signals. Rather, this poor performance is predominantly linked to the production systems introduced during colonialism and developments since independence, such as agricultural policies restraining rural economic development, unsuitable irrigation technologies and agricultural practices, and international lending practices and trade arrangements

Identifying leverage points to transition dysfunctional irrigation schemes towards complex adaptive systems

This article explores the value of Ostrom’s socio-ecological systems framework and Meadows’s leverage point hierarchy, as structured diagnostics, to define systemic problems and avoid approaches based on linear thinking. These frameworks were applied as an ex post analysis of an irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe, drawing on the scheme’s baseline condition and the intervention outcomes. Strong leverage points, particularly those driving feedback mechanisms and institutional design, interacted with other intervention points, initiating systemic change. This analysis suggests that dysfunctional schemes can be transitioned towards complex adaptive systems by using agricultural innovation platforms to identify systemic challenges and intervention points

Maize–mucuna rotation: An alternative technology to improve water productivity in smallholder farming systems

Rain-fed crop production systems in the semi-arid tropics of Zimbabwe are characterized by low water productivity (WP), which is partly attributed to inherent low soil fertility, and further exacerbated by continuous cropping without addition of adequate organic and inorganic fertilizers due to unavailability and high costs. A simulation modeling approach was used to evaluate potential interventions that can be used as entry points to improve crop water productivity. Low-cost interventions that use locally available organic inputs were evaluated using the Agriculture Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM). The farmer practice (FP) was compared to interventions comprising manure application (MN) and maize–mucuna rotation (MMR). Their potential effects on crop water productivity, dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were assessed. Average maize grain water productivity was 0.32, 0.40 and 0.70 kg m−3 under the FP, MN and MMR treatments, respectively, while that of mucuna biomass (Mucuna pruriens) was 1.34 kg m−3. Cropping under the FP and MN treatments showed negative trends in SOC and TN over 30 years, with average losses ranging from 17 to 74 kg ha−1 yr−1 and 6 to 16 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. In contrast, the MMR treatment showed positive trends in both soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN). The SOC and TN increased by 2.6–194 kg ha−1 yr−1 and 6–14 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. According to the simulation results it can be concluded that the MMR treatment can improve the water productivity of smallholder maize systems in the semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe under nutrient-depleted soil conditions and can also contribute to the building up of SOC and TN

The importance of learning processes in transitioning small-scale irrigation schemes

Many small-scale irrigation schemes are dysfunctional, and learning, innovation and evaluation are required to facilitate sustainable transitions. Using quantitative and qualitative data from five irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan Africa, we analyze how learning and change arose in response to: soil monitoring tools, which triggered a deep learning cycle; and agricultural innovation platforms, which helped develop a social learning system. Knowledge generation and innovation were driven by the incentives of more profitable farming. Learning and change spread to farmers without the tools, and learning at different levels resulted in extension and governance stakeholders facilitating profound institutional change

Supporting Treatment for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (START) together: protocol for a pilot, randomized, couple-based intervention to promote women's ART adherence and men's engagement in HIV care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: South Africa currently has the greatest number of people with HIV globally. The country has not yet met its 95-95-95 goals, with different gaps in the HIV care cascade for women and men. This paper reports on a protocol to pilot test a couple-based intervention designed to improve women's antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and men's engagement in care in heterosexual couples living in the Vulindlela area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Study goals are two-fold: (1) assess the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of the experimental intervention, START Together, and (2) collect efficacy data on START Together for women's ART adherence, men's engagement in HIV care, and the couple's relationship functioning. Methods: Women (N = 20) who were not engaged with ART adherence (defined via self-reported ART difficulties, record of missed clinic visits, or viral non-suppression) are the target patients; male partners are not required to know or disclose their HIV status to be part of the study. Couples are randomized 1:1 to the experimental treatment (START Together) or treatment as usual (referrals to the local clinic to support ART adherence or any other HIV-related care). START Together is a 5-session intervention based in cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, which is a skill-based intervention focusing on communication and problem-solving skills, and Life Steps, a problem-solving intervention identifying barriers and solutions to medication adherence. Couples are assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks post-randomization), and follow-up (12 weeks post-randomization). Conclusion: This study will provide preliminary implementation and efficacy data on whether this novel approach has potential to improve women and men's HIV and healthcare-related needs

Communal irrigation systems in South-Eastern Africa: findings on productivity and profitability

Significant expansion of irrigated agriculture is planned in Africa, though existing smallholder schemes perform poorly. Research at six schemes in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe shows that a range of problems are exacerbated by poor management, with limited market linkages leading to underutilization and a lack of profit. Improving sustainability of these complex systems will require: multiple interventions at different scales; investing in people and institutions as much as hardware; clarity in governments’ objectives for their smallholder irrigation schemes; appropriate business models to enable farmers; and better market linkages

Improving food security, nutrition and incomes: the contribution of small stock

Despite years of work, the development indicators relating to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) often disappoint. For example, the highest incidence of undernourishment in the world occurs in SSA where one out of every three people suffers from chronic hunger (WDR, 2007). Per capita food consumption in SSA is on the decline (Shapouri et al., 1999). Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where the number of rural poor is on the rise (WDR, 2007). The majority (86%) of SSA’s combined population of 200 million relies on the agriculture sector. Therefore, it is no surprise that we look to this sector to provide solutions to the issues of chronic poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Improvements here have the possibility of impacting millions. This brief looks at the contribution that livestock, small stock in particular, can make towards achieving food and nutritional security and improving social wellbeing in southern Africa

Goat production and marketing: Baseline information for semi-arid Zimbabwe

The role of livestock in rural communities is changing rapidly. Goats are increasingly used to augment cash income and enhance food security, thus serving as an important component in household’s livelihood strategies, particularly in drought-prone areas. While much has been done to improve agricultural production in the small-scale sector, little is known and documented about the current state of goat production and marketing in the communal areas of Zimbabwe. This report aims to set a baseline of the current status of goat production and marketing in southwestern Zimbabwe. The report illustrates the main functions of goats. Basic statistics describe goat ownership patterns with regard to the socioeconomic profi les of goat keepers, and the responsibilities of different household members in day-to-day goat management and marketing. The current productivity of goat fl ocks and seasonal trends are illustrated, indicating major challenges that farmers face in goat production and marketing. The report then provides a detailed description of the current management practices and existing marketing systems, and illustrates differences between districts, proximity to markets, flock sizes, levels of education and gender. Goat mortality has been found to be the most important constraint. Farmers with few goats are unable to sustain their flocks, whereas those with larger flocks do not realize the potential benefits from goats due to high mortality rates. Poor access to animal health support, dry season feed shortages and inadequate housing are the most important immediate factors contributing to high mortalities and can generally be ascribed to a lack of information and poor service structures, both resulting from limited support given to the small stock sector by government and NGO support services. The study also shows that although many farmers attempt to sell goats, markets are underdeveloped, infrastructure is inadequate and market information is not readily available. This results in poor confidence in markets, high transaction costs and low prices for goats. It is hypothesized that improved market access will act as an incentive for farmers to invest more in goat production. Market development is thus singled out as the next important step in further developing the goat industry in Zimbabwe. Practical options to enhance the contribution of goats to food security and income growth are discussed, and priority interventions are recommended to service providers, development agents and policymakers in Zimbabwe