Category: From my research

From my Archives: Rice Production in West Africa — from past to future…

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is projected to be the Leader in Global Rice Imports; while rice as a crop has continued to remain important as a main staple across the region, especially in Western Africa, its level of production (yields) has progressively been low over several decades; none-the-less, the region has undergone economic, social, and demographic transformations during the past 10 to 15 years. Among the poorest regions in the world, it faces major political and economic challenges along with low food security; however, SSA has a young, fast-growing population with considerable prospects for economic growth, and which signals hope for socio-economic improvements across the region.

Background highlights, decades after my research:

  • Rice has become a valued staple food and an increasing source of calories in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as economic growth & rising urbanization modify consumption patterns and consumer preferences toward more rice and away from traditional foods such as millet and sorghum.

  • Therefore, SSA rice imports will continue to grow as escalating  demand outpaces expansion in local rice production. USDA projects imports will grow from 12.3 million tons in 2017 to 15.4 million by 2026. With imports soon expected to surpass those of Asia, the region is likely to become the leading destination in the global rice trade.

  • AGRIFERT’s take: unless imminent soil and plant nutriment analysis are conducted in the region’s rice cultivation farmlands, food scarcity and associated woes are just a milestone on the corner.

African Agricultural Development Challenges in a Nutshell

Unfortunately, when it comes to farming in the African context, there is very little education being drawn from adversity. In fact, major obstacles that limit the success of small-scale farming can be categorized into four areas, namely: (i) climate, (ii) technology and education, (iii) financing and (iv) policy and infrastructure.

Smallholder farmers in SSA are still among the poorest in the world. It is difficult for them to maximize their potential in the absence of modern agricultural technologies and adequate financing to cover  investments for on- and off-farm processes;  furthermore, a given farmer is often faced with a distribution structure that remains ill-suited for accessing markets.

The respective agriculture sub-sectors of SSA continue to be one of the least productive in the world (at a relative productivity rate is 36%). To quote Calestous Juma, professor of the Practice of International Development at Harvard Kennedy School: “Medical students train to become doctors; law-school students become lawyers. However, most of those trained in agriculture end up “growing bureaucracies” rather than growing food crops. It is evident that there is a need for innovation, science and technology to maximize training and the application of skills to the agriculture sector in Africa.”

AGRIFERT’s take: Most, if not all major African countries have soil fertility maps that are outdated —  four decades old or more… A good start for an overhaul in Agricultural Transformation lies in updating such maps in line with targeted country agro-ecological zones.

There is a need for African Governments and relevant stakeholders to create capacity enhancement initiatives that would empower farmers to become self-sufficient in food production and supply. Cultivation of arable land is essential; but  access to quality inputs is critical, and there should be an overwhelming support for the “science agenda” to establish mechanisms for increasing crop yields. However, while governments can support these initiatives,  it is necessary for relevant stakeholders and institutions to create a sustainable platform where a new generation of small-scale farmers can flourish; what’s really required are affordable financing structures…

Food and Nutrition in the Lens of the End User

Rich soils and plant health are key to nutritious foods. The effective management of food intake and nutrition monitoring are both essential to good human health. Smart nutrition and food choices can help pre-empt the acquisition and spread of disease; eating the right foods may help one’s body cope more successfully with an ongoing illness; and understanding good nutrition and paying attention to what one eats may help maintain or improve one’s health.

What Is Good Nutrition?

Food and nutrition are the ways that one’s body gets fueled with energy…  providing energy throughout the body.  As humans, we need to replenish nutrients in our bodies with a new supply on a daily bases.  Water remains an important component of  our nutrition; other required elements include fats, proteins, and carbohydrates at measurable and moderate levels, while also maintaining key vitamins and minerals for optimal health. For pregnant women and adults over 50, the D- vitamins along with minerals such as calcium and iron are important to consider when choosing key foods and possible dietary supplements.

A healthy diet includes a considerable amount of natural foods; a sizeable portion of a healthy diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, especially ones that are red, orange, or dark green; likewise whole grains, such as whole wheat and brown rice, are strong considerations for a healthy diet. For adults, dairy products while important, should be non-fat or low-fat; and protein may consist of lean meat and poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, legumes, and soy products, as well as unsalted seeds and nuts.

AGRIFERT’s take: Key to nutritious foods are rich soils with adequate soil elements for  crops to grow and ensure plant health. Helping to provide food growers with quality fertilizers — soil and plant specific fertilizer recommendations represents a good start for intake of healthy nutritious foods by end users of grown crops.