Agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA) is mainly rainfall-dependent and dominated by smallholder farming systems. These smallholder farming systems with landholdings of less than 5 ha produce about 80% of the food consumed in these regions. Despite the contribution of the smallholder farmers to the food production in these regions especially in SSA, productivity from their farms is low due to several biophysical factors such as low and declining soil fertility, limited use of external inputs, unfavourable policy, market and institutional arrangements, pests and diseases, as well as the effects of climate change. The low productivity of agriculture among smallholder farmers exacerbates poverty levels since it is the main source of livelihood for more than 50% of the work force in these regions.
About half of the world population is projected to be in SSA and SA by 2050 and this will require more food from agricultural production to feed the growing population. Increasing food production per capita in these regions through the conversion of marginal and grazing lands to productive arable lands is becoming limited and unsustainable due to the increasing demand of land for agricultural and non-agricultural uses.
Sustainable intensification (SI) of smallholder farming systems which involves judicious management of natural resources, genetic intensification, efficient use of fertilizers, appropriate mechanization, good agronomic and husbandry practices while considering a balanced approach on socio-economic outcomes will be required to meet the food demands of these regions’ growing populations and to improve household wealth, health, and productivity. However, if these intensified farming systems are not managed sustainably, they have negative impacts on the environment, human and socio-economic conditions of farmers.
SI of smallholder farming system is critical for both regions in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) particularly SDG1 (eradicating poverty) and SDG2 (ending hunger and malnutrition). SI of farming systems is increasing productivity per unit area of land by deploying technologies that are economically sound as well as reducing negative environmental, social, and human impacts. The SI concept has received more attention among agricultural scientists, policy makers, and practitioners in the last decade due to the limitations of “Green Revolution Type” of intensification in Asia. Several projects promoting SI of smallholder agriculture have been implemented across SSA and SA; however, some of these findings have not been published for wider scientific and practical use.
This Research Topic will discuss recent experiences in SI of smallholder farming systems and analyzes how SI has helped smallholder farmers to reduce food and nutritional insecurity and poverty.
We welcome submissions on the following topics but not limited to agricultural technologies from:
Sustainable land and water management
Food, nutrition, and livelihood
Climate-smart agriculture
Agricultural post-harvest management and value chain improvement
The above are all in the context of smallholder farming systems as it remains a key option to increase agricultural productivity to meet the food demands of growing human population in SSA and SA.
Agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA) is mainly rainfall-dependent and dominated by smallholder farming systems. These smallholder farming systems with landholdings of less than 5 ha produce about 80% of the food consumed in these regions. Despite the contribution of the smallholder farmers to the food production in these regions especially in SSA, productivity from their farms is low due to several biophysical factors such as low and declining soil fertility, limited use of external inputs, unfavourable policy, market and institutional arrangements, pests and diseases, as well as the effects of climate change. The low productivity of agriculture among smallholder farmers exacerbates poverty levels since it is the main source of livelihood for more than 50% of the work force in these regions.
About half of the world population is projected to be in SSA and SA by 2050 and this will require more food from agricultural production to feed the growing population. Increasing food production per capita in these regions through the conversion of marginal and grazing lands to productive arable lands is becoming limited and unsustainable due to the increasing demand of land for agricultural and non-agricultural uses.
Sustainable intensification (SI) of smallholder farming systems which involves judicious management of natural resources, genetic intensification, efficient use of fertilizers, appropriate mechanization, good agronomic and husbandry practices while considering a balanced approach on socio-economic outcomes will be required to meet the food demands of these regions’ growing populations and to improve household wealth, health, and productivity. However, if these intensified farming systems are not managed sustainably, they have negative impacts on the environment, human and socio-economic conditions of farmers.
SI of smallholder farming system is critical for both regions in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) particularly SDG1 (eradicating poverty) and SDG2 (ending hunger and malnutrition). SI of farming systems is increasing productivity per unit area of land by deploying technologies that are economically sound as well as reducing negative environmental, social, and human impacts. The SI concept has received more attention among agricultural scientists, policy makers, and practitioners in the last decade due to the limitations of “Green Revolution Type” of intensification in Asia. Several projects promoting SI of smallholder agriculture have been implemented across SSA and SA; however, some of these findings have not been published for wider scientific and practical use.
This Research Topic will discuss recent experiences in SI of smallholder farming systems and analyzes how SI has helped smallholder farmers to reduce food and nutritional insecurity and poverty.
We welcome submissions on the following topics but not limited to agricultural technologies from:
Sustainable land and water management
Food, nutrition, and livelihood
Climate-smart agriculture
Agricultural post-harvest management and value chain improvement
The above are all in the context of smallholder farming systems as it remains a key option to increase agricultural productivity to meet the food demands of growing human population in SSA and SA.
