Transforming African Agriculture by Promoting Improved Technology and Management Practices

This report by the African Center for Economic Transformation outlines a strategy to transform agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through the generation and diffusion of modern technology and improved management practices. The study identifies rice as a promising crop for a 'Green Revolution' in the region and suggests that technology transfer from advanced regions like South Africa and tropical Asia (specifically India) can help close yield gaps. The paper emphasizes that technological innovation must be coupled with improved agronomic management and marketing to be effective.

• The failure to achieve a Green Revolution in sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to three primary factors: a lack of high-yielding, fertilizer-responsive seed varieties; a lack of knowledge regarding improved management practices (such as bunding, leveling, and crop rotation); and the high cost of modern inputs combined with low product prices due to underdeveloped markets.
• Rice is identified as a promising crop for a Green Revolution in sub-Saharan Africa. The report suggests that by combining high-yielding seed varieties, correct fertilizer application, improved management practices like bunding, and farmer education, rice yields in Africa could approach those seen in Asia.
• The potential for a Green Revolution in other grains varies: wheat has already seen adoption of semi-dwarf varieties and chemical fertilizers in many parts of SSA, though it is limited to cool highland climates. Maize transformation is described as a "daunting task" despite the possibility of technology transfer from South Africa. For millet and sorghum, the report notes that yields in SSA are already comparable to or higher than those in India, suggesting that technology transfer from India is not viable, though South Africa's high sorghum yields offer a potential model for transfer.
• Agricultural transformation requires a complementary approach where productive technology and improved management practices are developed first, followed by extension activities and marketing improvements. For high-value products involving contract farming, the report argues that the primary barrier is not technological but relates to transaction costs, which can be mitigated by improving the entrepreneurial human capital of farmers.
• The report identifies a promising intensive intercropping system for smallholder farms in Kenya that involves maize, legumes, and dairy, although it recommends further research to optimize this system before promoting it through extension services.

APA

Webmaster (2016). Transforming African Agriculture by Promoting Improved Technology and Management Practices. African Center for Economic Transformation. https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/transforming-african-agriculture-by-promoting-improved-technology-and-management-practices/

Chicago

Webmaster. Transforming African Agriculture by Promoting Improved Technology and Management Practices. African Center for Economic Transformation, 2016. https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/transforming-african-agriculture-by-promoting-improved-technology-and-management-practices/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Webmaster |title=Transforming African Agriculture by Promoting Improved Technology and Management Practices |publisher=African Center for Economic Transformation |date=29 September 2016 |url=https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/transforming-african-agriculture-by-promoting-improved-technology-and-management-practices/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{webmaster2016transforming, author = {Webmaster}, title = {{Transforming African Agriculture by Promoting Improved Technology and Management Practices}}, institution = {African Center for Economic Transformation}, year = {2016}, month = sep, url = {https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/transforming-african-agriculture-by-promoting-improved-technology-and-management-practices/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }