Husker researchers help show how to double corn yields in Africa
Africa1
Better agronomic practices could reduce land conversion and the need for imports
LINCOLN, Neb. — An international partnership including researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has demonstrated how African smallholder farmers can double corn yields by adopting better agronomic practices.
The study, published May 27 in Nature Communications, helps meet the growing demand for corn in Africa, a region where yields are much lower than in other parts of the world. Without improved yields, meeting future corn demand would require conversion of large tracts of natural land to corn cultivation or require increased reliance on costly corn imports from other countries – an option which could compromise the food sovereignty of African countries and which could prove difficult in the current context. economic conditions.
“Africa faces a critical challenge: how to significantly increase maize production to meet growing demand for maize while avoiding the negative impacts of cropland expansion and dependence on food imports,” said Patricio Grassini, corresponding author of the article and professor of agronomy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Our study shows that increasing maize yields through better agronomic management could help Africa meet this challenge. »
The study is part of Niche, a four-year project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and involving several organizations, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; One Acre Fund, a social enterprise based in Africa; NASA Harvest; and Regrow, an agricultural technology company.
“This study makes a huge contribution by identifying agronomic practices with the greatest potential to increase agricultural yield, providing a key contribution to international and national programs and donors that aim to improve smallholder livelihoods and strengthen food security in Africa,” said Alex Sananka, data scientist at One Acre Fund and co-author of the paper. “Judicious investments in research and extension programs and appropriate policy to promote these practices can generate yield gains in a short time and on a large spatial scale. »
IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The study identified management practices with the greatest impact on maize yields by analyzing a database of 14,773 smallholder maize fields in seven sub-Saharan African countries.
“We found that corn yields double with improved seeds, modest amounts of fertilizer, timely planting dates and better crop and pest management,” said Fernando Aramburu-Merlos, research assistant professor of agronomy in Nebraska and first author of the article.
The study also highlights the need for supportive policies to ensure that smallholders have access to yield-enhancing technologies and training to use these technologies effectively.
“Providing farmers with modern inputs is not enough,” Aramburu-Merlos said. “Farmers also need access to better extension and advisory services to enable them to use these inputs effectively. »
The article concludes by illustrating the potential impacts of applying these practices across the continent and the risks associated with maintaining the status quo.
“If all farmers can follow these steps to increase their yields, it will help protect an area of natural land larger than Uganda from conversion to agriculture,” said Step Aston, senior director of research and development. development at One Acre Fund.
“We are running out of time. Agricultural yields have been stagnant for decades and land conversion is alarmingly rapid,” Grassini said. “But there could be a better future for Africa if we explicitly explain the need to improve yields in the region and the need to prioritize technologies with a proven ability to increase yields and profits for farmers.”
