The Pathway for Food Sustainability Across Africa: Lessons from Asia’s 60-Year Food Transformation

Africa’s quest for food sustainability is critical in light of rising populations, climate variability, and global market volatility. Although the continent faces unique challenges, Asia’s 60-year agricultural transformation offers invaluable lessons, particularly from the Green Revolution and its impacts.

The Green Revolution and Its Legacy

Asia’s agricultural revolution was primarily driven by technological innovations. The Green Revolution brought modern plant breeding, the development of high-yielding crop varieties, and advances in irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides, leading to increased food security and poverty reduction in nations like India, China, and the Philippines.

According to Tribe (1994), the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations spearheaded international agricultural research programs to adapt scientific advances to developing countries’ conditions. Investments were initially made in rice and wheat research, two vital crops, leading to dramatic yield increases in Asia and Latin America. These improvements were the result of a comprehensive technological package of irrigation, improved seeds, and chemical inputs that substantially increased crop productivity (Johnson, Hazell, and Gulati 2003).

Africa’s Current Food Landscape

Africa’s agricultural productivity is hindered by poor infrastructure, limited access to technology, and underdeveloped irrigation systems. For example, only 5% of Africa’s cropland is irrigated compared to Asia’s 33% by 1995 (Evenson, Pray, and Rosegrant 1999). Fertilizer use is also minimal, curtailing the potential for yield increases. Like Asia, Africa must focus on developing resilient, climate-smart technologies, providing access to improved seeds, and promoting fertilizer use.

Irrigation and Infrastructure Investments

Asia’s prior heavy investment in irrigation laid the foundation for its agricultural success. By 1970, around 25% of agricultural land in Asia was irrigated, providing a consistent water supply essential for crop productivity (Evenson et al., 1999). For Africa, prioritizing irrigation is vital to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Investments in irrigation infrastructure and water-efficient technologies should be a top priority.

Fertilizer and Seed Technology

Africa could see significant gains by increasing fertilizer use, which remains low at 20 kg/ha compared to 102 kg/ha in Asia by 1995 (World Bank 2007). Likewise, improved seeds — such as those resistant to drought and pests — are essential to boost productivity and withstand climate impacts. Africa’s research institutes can draw on Asian experiences to develop seed varieties suited to the continent’s diverse ecological conditions.

Government Involvement and Policy Support

Asia’s success was as much political as it was technological. Governments played an active role in ensuring smallholder farmers benefitted from innovations through land reforms, farm credit, and subsidies on key inputs like water and fertilizer (Djurfeldt and Jirström 2005). For Africa, government support will be crucial in building public-private partnerships to develop the necessary infrastructure and market linkages.

The Role of Rural Development

The experience of Japan and Taipei, China, shows that rural development was key to agricultural transformation. Rural-focused policies, infrastructure development, and land reforms contributed to these economies’ agricultural success (Pingali et al., 2019). Africa can emulate these measures to ensure its smallholder farmers have access to markets and adequate infrastructure, such as roads and storage.

In summary, Africa’s path to food sustainability requires a coordinated approach similar to Asia’s. This involves a mix of technological advances, policy support, and sustained investment in rural development to achieve food security.