Title: How to close the ever widening gap of Africa's agriculture

Authors: P.S. Bindraban, H. Loffler, R. Rabbinge

Addresses: Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ' Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ' Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 102, 6700 AC, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract: While global food availability increased by 27% per person over the past four decades, it decreased by 12% in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper explores the role of technology use on agricultural development to understand the ever widening gap of SSA with other global regions. It looks into land (i.e., yield) and labour productivity, the relation between technology use and yield stability and, the environmental implications of input use. Ways and means are discussed as to what innovative technologies could close the gap, taking complex mixed farming systems as an entry point that account for 90% of Africa|s agriculture.

Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa; green revolution; agricultural productivity; technology use; yield stability; environment; technological innovation; agriculture; labour productivity; environmental impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2008.020331

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2008 Vol.4 No.3, pp.276 - 295

Published online: 16 Sep 2008 *

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