Agricultural Technology in Africa

Abstract

We discuss recent trends in agricultural productivity in Africa and highlight how technological progress in agriculture has stagnated on the continent. We briefly review the literature that tries to explain this stagnation through the lens of particular constraints to technology adoption. Ultimately, none of these constraints alone can explain these trends. New research highlights pervasive heterogeneity in the gross and net returns to agricultural technologies across Africa. We argue that this heterogeneity makes the adoption process more challenging, limits the scope of many innovations, and contributes to the stagnation in technology use. We conclude with directions for policy and what we feel are still important, unanswered research questions.

Influence of Smartphone-Based Digital Extension Service on Farmers’ Sustainable Agricultural Technology Adoption in China

“…First, the influence of personalized information on the application of precision fertilization technology is analyzed from both theoretical and empirical aspects. Previous studies have focused on the amount of information, but less on its attributes, especially on the personalization or heterogeneity of information on soil nutrients [ 7 ], which are key to determining technology adoption of precise fertilization [ 41 ]. Although few studies have focused on the personalized information supply of ICTs, it gives the soil nutrient information of a single crop, with less attention to the fertilization scheme information (for example, what kind and amount of fertilizer should be applied at different stages of farming).…”

Carbon Farming Training and Welfare: Evidence from Northern Ghana

“…Evidently, economic wellbeing is determined by several factors related to the lack of adequate infrastructure (Morgan et al 2020;Shively, 2017;Shively and Thapa, 2017), conflict and war (FAO et al, 2021;World Bank, 2021a), price volatility (Kalkuhl et al 2016), lack of improved agricultural technologies and inputs (Suri and Udry, 2022), limited access to extension services (Tambo and Matimelo, 2021;Sheahan and Barret, 2017;Aker, 2011), and climate change and variability (FAO, 2015;FAO et al, 2021;World Bank, 2021a;Wheeler and von Braun 2013). These factors either singly or in combination, affect farm performance in terms of yields, technical efficiency, income and therefore, contributing to the vicious poverty cycle or intergenerational poverty mostly found in farm households in developing countries.…”

The impact of African agriculture production on bank stability through bank risk and profit

“…That objective requires new farming technologies, mechanization, seed quality and quantity, smart technologies, and an updated production and transformation system to eliminate underproduction (Liu et al, 2021;Yitayew et al, 2022). Such a persistent and resilient agricultural system can eliminate undernourishment, boost agricultural production, and sustain economic development and banking in emerging economies (Kumar et al, 2017;Martin & Clapp, 2015;Suri & Udry, 2022). Agricultural production is the backbone of most developing African economies and the primary supporter of GDP (Suri & Udry, 2022).…”

“…Such a persistent and resilient agricultural system can eliminate undernourishment, boost agricultural production, and sustain economic development and banking in emerging economies (Kumar et al, 2017;Martin & Clapp, 2015;Suri & Udry, 2022). Agricultural production is the backbone of most developing African economies and the primary supporter of GDP (Suri & Udry, 2022). Figures 1-3 show the cointegration between GDP growth and agricultural production factors (food and cereal production) from 1970-2018.…”