Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa

The brief uses International Futures (IFs) software to model scenarios where Africa could become a net food exporter within 10 years through aggressive policy interventions. However, it warns that increasing production alone may lead to food exports benefiting rich countries while local hunger persists. To ensure human development, the authors argue that a green revolution must be coupled with programs to increase low-income consumption and improvements in water and sanitation to prevent diarrheal diseases from undermining health gains.

• Africa has the potential to transition from a net food importer to a net exporter within a decade if aggressive but reasonable policy interventions are implemented to increase agricultural production.
• Increasing agricultural yields without accompanying developmental policies risks a scenario where food is exported to wealthy nations while millions of Africans remain unable to access necessary calories.
• The health benefits of increased caloric intake from a green revolution would be limited without simultaneous improvements in water and sanitation, as diarrheal diseases would diminish these gains.

APA

Moyer, J. D., & Firnhaber, E. (n.d.). Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa

Chicago

Moyer, Jonathan D, and Eric Firnhaber. Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Moyer |first1=Jonathan D |last2=Firnhaber |first2=Eric |title=Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{moyerndcultivating, author = {Moyer, Jonathan D and Firnhaber, Eric}, title = {{Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }