Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century (2010) / Chapter Skim
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8 Sustainable Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: "Lessons Learned" from the United States
Pages 493-518

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From page 493...
... ; therefore, the committee's approach to the issue of technology transfer is to draw principles and lessons from this study that could be applicable and adapted in a developing country context, rather than to identify specific technical "fixes." The first part of this chapter briefly summarizes the food and agricultural challenges in the developing world, and the current adoption of agricultural practices that can improve sustainability, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. It then draws upon the lessons learned in previous chapters and assesses whether the principles and practices for improving sustainability derived from U.S.
From page 494...
... Lessons Learned from the Green Revolution In Asia and Latin America, the introduction of Green Revolution technologies began in the 1960s, including high-yielding varieties, inorganic fertilizers, modern pesticides, irrigation, agricultural machinery, supportive government policies, wide-scale training of scientists, establishment of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Centers, and massive funding for research and development (R&D)
From page 495...
... In addition, Green Revolution technologies worked best in large areas of uniform cropping and irrigated systems, such as the high-production rice and wheat systems in Asia, or in rain-fed environments where both climate and soil quality are favorable for crop growth , such as the wheat systems of northwest and central Europe and maize-based systems in North America (Cassman, 1999)
From page 496...
... . For example, integrated soil fertility management can benefit from the judicious use of inorganic fertilizer combined with organic fertilizers -- a highly synergistic combination because organic matter increases the water-holding capacity of soils and increases the efficiency of fertilizer use by crops (Evanylo et al., 2008; Toenniessen et al., 2008)
From page 497...
... The committee recognizes that many of the findings and conclusions in this report concur with recommendations made in recent reports that include Realizing the Promise and Potential of African Agriculture (InterAcademy Council, 2004) ; Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (NRC, 2008)
From page 498...
... crops in sustainable agriculture development. The use of GE crops was not rejected in principle; rather, the report found that GE crops were appropriate in some contexts, but as of yet, the potential of GE crops to serve the needs of resource-poor farmers remains unfulfilled.
From page 499...
... and in the report from the African Union (African Union Report, 2008)
From page 500...
... In addition, resource stabilization, such as building soil organic matter and inherent fertility, is a long-term but critical component. "Improved" systems need to address all these priorities simultaneously to effectively move toward sustainability, and therefore need to be evaluated against appropriate indicators for each component (see Chapter 1)
From page 501...
... ; managing diversity by adding new regenerative components (for example, cover crops and green manures) ; and efficient use of nonrenewable inputs and external technologies (for example, resistant crop varieties and livestock breeds, new seed, low-dose and non-toxic pesticide sprays, and machinery)
From page 502...
... Agricultural research that is locally relevant is necessary and can be achieved by consulting with and actively involving clients, notably farmers. Earlier paradigms that tried to fit farmers into the typically linear top-down structures of research–development–extension worked well for major cash crops, but had little success with small-scale diversified farms (IAASTD, 2009)
From page 503...
... 2 to be held in France in 2010, the African Farmers Organization released a declaration that recognizes the importance of agricultural research and development for farmers in Africa, and reaffirms the central position of farmers and farmer organizations in making research successful (African Farmers Organization, 2009)
From page 504...
... Programs such as the National Fadama Development Project in Nigeria supports smallholder farmers by helping them increase agricultural productivity, access infrastructure, and add value to their products (National Fadama Development Project, 2010)
From page 505...
... This is equally true for African farmers, where local and regional agricultural and rural infrastructure and market development are typically very poor, but urban areas and commercial farms are increasingly being integrated into global agrifood retailing chains (Reardon et al., 2009)
From page 506...
... . The market demand is expected to exceed production in the near future and make organic cotton a promising avenue for African farmers provided that barriers and challenges to production and market access can be overcome (Dowd, 2008)
From page 507...
... Payments for environmental services (PES) can be an option for African agriculture to directly reward management practices that contribute to maintaining and enhancing environmental services (for example, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, water quality and availability, and land rehabilitation and nutrient cycling)
From page 508...
... Furthermore, modifying university curricula to train new researchers and extension agents to become well grounded in interdisciplinary knowledge and systems thinking will be critical. BOX - I nstitution-Building Recommendations to Increase Food Security in Africa P roposed by the InterAcademy Council of the United Nations (00)
From page 509...
... Prevention of soil loss in the surface layers, where the organic matter is generally highest, also is critical. Implementing such approaches as reduced tillage, use of organic matter inputs, and protection of the soil surface is a priority for agricultural development in Africa to reverse the serious problems of declining soil fertility and soil quality.
From page 510...
... Chapter 3 discussed the value of organic matter addition from such sources as green manures, cover crops, animal manure, and composts for both fertility and soil quality management. A number of examples show that a combination of inorganic and organic fertility inputs can have synergistic benefits, partly because of improved water retention (Evanylo et al., 2008; Sirrine et al., 2008; Toenniessen et al., 2008)
From page 511...
... . Good soil management leading to increased organic matter will also help improve water use efficiency by allowing more water to percolate into the soil and increasing the water-holding capacity of soils.
From page 512...
... Although most of the world's diversity of livestock animals is in the developing world (FAO, 2007) , conservation of animal genetic diversity and breeding improved breeds of key animal species in the region is very limited.
From page 513...
... The strategic priorities for action include: characterize, inventory, and monitor trends and associated risks to animal genetic resources; ensure sustainability in animal production systems with a focus on food security and rural development; preserve animal genetic diversity and integrity; and develop coherent and synergistic policies and institutions. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
From page 514...
... • Technologies to address soil, water, and biotic constraints are needed that integrate ecological processes and use locally available resources in combination with judi cious use of external inputs when necessary. • Promising technological approaches include improving soil quality by organic
From page 515...
... REFERENCES African Farmers Organization.
From page 516...
... 2008. Sustainable agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa: the case for a paradigm shift in land husbandry.
From page 517...
... 2007. Investing in farmers: the impacts of farmer field schools in relation to inte grated pest management.


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