The Importance of Productivity Growth

We know that we need to achieve productivity growth, but it important that this is done in a sustainable manner, particularly for cereal crops. Many farmers in the developing world are trapped in a vicious circle of unsustainable agricultural production because low yields lead to a focus on self-sufficiency and a lack of means to invest in sustainable management practices, in a sort of poverty trap. To get out of this cycle, raise the productivity of major crops that can be grown in the environment and get more value our of those crops by having better connectivity to the value chain. Typically, we distinguish between a yield potential and actual yield, which is often lower based on limitation of the environment. The gap can be closed through all kinds of measures including genetic improvement, crop management, soil management, etc. The big global challenge is to bring all farmers up to 80% or more of the attainable water-limited yield potential by the year 2050. Maize, wheat, rice, sorghum, and millet are the staple crops in Sub-Saharan Africa, but they do not produce enough of these staples and have large yield gaps. Options to improve this situation include increasing crops yields, increasing crop intensity, increasing irrigation, expanding the cropping area, and to keep increasing imports. While we want to encourage the use of more diverse food items, the basis of the food system is a solid, affordable supply of energy-supplying staple crops. 

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