More work ahead despite significant progress in Africa’s food systems – AGRA report

A new report published by AGRA, a pan-African institution focusing on scaling agricultural innovations, suggests that Africa's food systems must be evaluated based on farmers' earnings. While Africa has made significant progress in strengthening its agrifood systems over the past two decades, the report emphasizes that more needs to be done to transform the continent's food systems.

Key advancements highlighted in the report include an increase in seed companies, fertilizer use, and access to quality inputs. Fertilizer use has more than doubled from approximately 8 kg per hectare to between 17 and 22 kg per hectare across the continent. National agricultural research systems have been revitalized, and drought-tolerant maize has expanded significantly since 2010.

The report also notes improvements in agricultural advisory and farming systems, with government farm advisory services becoming more accessible and full-service private advisory models emerging. Digital agricultural services have reached over 33 million farmers, and regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices are being scaled.

However, the report acknowledges that despite these gains, yields have not risen to the required levels, and farmers' incomes remain below global averages. The current trajectory is not expected to achieve the target set by the Kampala Declaration and CAADP 3.0 for 2035. To truly transform Africa's food systems, an integrated agenda and sustained delivery are needed, rather than simply scaling up the current approach.