WILLAGRI
The American columnist Peter Coy published an analysis in the New York Times that sums up the inadequacies of sub-Saharan agriculture. Here is the substance. African agriculture is not very productive and is holding back the economic development of sub-Saharan Africa. Despite a significant increase in food production since 1961, agricultural efficiency remains low due to the massive increase in inputs. To improve productivity, it is necessary to foster innovation, the extension of new agricultural practices and market incentives. Progress is being made with resilient crop varieties and digital technologies to inform farmers. However, challenges remain, including the land tenure system that limits optimal land use and urban opportunities that lure farmers away from their land. The main obstacles to the development of African agriculture, according to Peter Coy, are the following:
- Low Input Productivity: Increasing production is mainly based on increasing inputs (land, labor) rather than efficiency improvements.
- Land Tenure System: Farmers must actively use their land to conserve it, which incentivizes them not to invest in more sustainable and productive farming practices.
- Limited Access to Innovation: Innovation in farming techniques and crop varieties is often insufficient, and farmers struggle to access these new technologies.
- Low diffusion of innovations: low dissemination of new agricultural practices and information crucial to improving yields.
- Insufficient Infrastructure: Transport and storage infrastructure is often underdeveloped, making it difficult to access markets and increasing post-harvest losses.
- Climate Uncertainties: Climate change and extreme weather are affecting agricultural production, making yields unstable.
- Limited Access to Markets: Farmers often have limited access to markets due to distance, high transportation costs, and a lack of business connections.
- Education and Training: The lack of education and training for farmers limits their ability to adopt new techniques and improve their productivity.
- Inadequate market incentives: Support policies and subsidies may not be sufficient to encourage farmers to invest in more productive practices.
Source : New York Times