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.

The Diffusion of Innovations in Agriculture — Stakeholder Roles…

Outputs of Research and Development (R&D) are designed to raise Agricultural Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in many ways. Productivity growth in agriculture is a driver of economic development and poverty reduction in low-income countries. Some of the lowest levels of agricultural land and labor productivity in the world are found in SSA. As a consequence, this region suffers from high rates of extreme poverty and food insecurity. The adoption and uptake of agricultural innovations by relevant stakeholders remains a challenge. While the region’s R&D entities have continued to play their roles to the extent possible, in putting out innovations, there appears to be a dis-connect – and that is — ensuring that R&D outputs reach the hands of the end-users… the farmers; and not remain on the shelves of institutions and laboratories.

Background Highlights, Decades after my Research:

  • In view of the inherent challenges, sector productivity in the sub-region  has been rising since the 1980s, though at a very  gradual pace.

  • Agricultural research, assisted by policy reforms that improved economic incentives to farmers, has contributed to spurring adoption of new/innovative technologies, representing  a key driver for increased productivity in the Sub-region’s agricultural sector.

  • Despite these gains, productivity growth continue to remain well below that of other developing countries who were also on the strive to rise; and thus, those formidable challenges which persisted, served to hinder the narrowing of intrinsic gaps.

  • AGRIFERT’s take: R&D outputs are meant to expand  innovation results and outcomes for greater impact on  end users.  It may be necessary  to contextualize or decipher  what those decades  (lost) of un-utilized research data would have done in effect if applied adequately to local circumstances?  It becomes of great necessity to keep food and agricultural policy in the center of the region’s productivity growth processes… but  no need to look back, it would be of greater significance to draw and apply lessons for the good of SSA’s future.    Donor coordination can’t be stressed enough as a missing piece.

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.