Prospect of Sub-Saharan African Agriculture Amid Climate Change: A Review of Relevant Literatures

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa is an important world region in terms of food and feed production. However, climate change is becoming more and more serious threat to agricultural production in the region. Various and relevant literatures were contacted aimed at finding the impacts, causes and possible solution to the threat of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Declining agricultural productivity and farm incomes, occurrence of extreme weather conditions, soil degradation and proliferation of pests and diseases were some of the impacts of the Change. Deforestation, transportation, power generation, burning of fuel, poverty and agricultural practices were among the causes of climate change in the region. Poverty alleviation, adequate mitigation and adaptation campaigns, afforestation and incorporation of climate change into long-term developmental programs were some of the possible ways of dealing with climate change threat in the region. It is recommended that apart from provision of alternative sources of fuel, governments should also create job opportunities in the region as well as ensuring that fallen trees are replaced.

Vulnerability analysis of Nigeria's agricultural output growth and climate change

“…The findings of the current study support the work of Leclerc et al (2014) that crop yields especially cereals are likely to decrease substantially when exposed to drought because of their sensitivity to heat and drought stress. This according to Junaidu et al (2017) has resulted in a sharp decline in agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers and pastoralists in sub-Saharan Africa. Ironically, drought and floods are on the opposite side of the coin, they are both detrimental to agricultural production.…”

Climate-Smart Agricultural Value Chains: Risks and Perspectives

“…Yields are likely to decrease substantially for cereal crops sensitive to heat and drought (wheat, maize, rice) but less so for crops with higher heat tolerance (such as millet) (Nelson et al 2009;Leclerc et al 2014). Overall, agricultural productivity and incomes have declined for smallholder farmers, pastoralists and fishermen, and are likely to decline further (FAO 2009;Gregory et al 2009;Thulani and Phiri 2013;Junaidu et al 2017).…”