Impacts of food crop improvement research: evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

The paper reviews and summarizes evidences of impacts of crop improvement research of major food crops in Africa. It provides evidence of increased availability of improved varieties of major food crops to farmers in Africa, increased food production in regions where adoption has occurred, and posit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food policy 2000-10, Vol.25 (5), p.531-559
Main Authors: Maredia, Mywish K, Byerlee, Derek, Pee, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africa
Agricultural products
Agricultural research
Agricultural sector
Crop improvement research
Crops
Food
Food crops
Government policy
Investment
Organization of research
Production, Agricultural
Research efficiency
Research impacts
Research methods
Returns to research investment
Sub-Saharan Africa
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Summary:The paper reviews and summarizes evidences of impacts of crop improvement research of major food crops in Africa. It provides evidence of increased availability of improved varieties of major food crops to farmers in Africa, increased food production in regions where adoption has occurred, and positive returns to research investment, indicating that agricultural research in Africa has had productivity increasing impacts on its agriculture. However, research impacts vary considerably across countries and regions within a country as a result of agroclimatic factors and policy environment, which affects the supply of seeds and other inputs, and the continuity and stability of research investments. The paper points to a number of important issues, both internal and external to the agricultural research system organization that need to be addressed if agricultural research is to provide a stimulus for modernizing African agriculture. Given the small size of food crop production area in many African countries, it is important for research systems to take full advantage of research spill-ins from regional and international research organizations. There is a great potential to increase the efficiency of research systems by improving the coordination among members of national research systems and continuing improvements in collaborations between NARSs and regional and international organizations.
ISSN:0306-9192
1873-5657
DOI:10.1016/S0306-9192(99)00080-9