More investment in agricultural research and development (R&D) in Africa would pay huge dividends and result in cheaper food, says development economist Dr Ralph Nordjo.
One of the greatest achievements for the world in the last six decades was an increase in food production. From 1961 to 2022, there was an average of five to six-fold increase in cereal production globally – most of which came from farmers growing more food from less than a hectare of land.
The Green Revolution of 1960 – 1970 served as a catalyst for increased production through intensification mechanisms including chemical inputs, irrigation technologies and farm mechanisation. Its implementation saved more than one billion lives from hunger and improved the standard of living of many. And, as agriculture became more efficient, more people were freed from backbreaking labour which enabled them to engage in a broader range of productive activities.
Despite the Green Revolution being an extraordinary achievement, Africa still lags behind. We have to feed the planet’s growing population and solve high undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
After the failed promises and implementation of the African Union’s (AU) first Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) from 2014 to 2023, another crucial goal of the second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024 – 2033) focuses on increasing agricultural production and productivity. Specifically, it aims to increase growth in agricultural yields by at least 4% per year and to reduce agricultural food imports to at most 40%.
It is obviously time for Africa to kickstart a second Green Revolution to extend its benefits to Africa’s poorest and reduce hunger on the continent.
The Copenhagen Consensus, has been working with some of the world’s best economists to identify the most effective policies for the remaining time for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) which also sync very well with the Africa Union Agenda 2063. If we can’t do everything, we should focus on the smartest solutions in every area — including agriculture and hunger.
The researchers looked at many agricultural policies, like subsidising fertiliser and increasing irrigation. These all deliver moderate benefits to society, but per dollar invested, the effects are just fair. However, there is one clear opportunity for humanity: a big increase in investment in agricultural research and development (R&D).
There is still significant underspending on agricultural R&D for poorer countries. Big corporations understandably spend the most in rich countries where large-scale farmers have deep pockets. That is why in 2015, 80% of global agricultural R&D funding went to rich and upper-middle income countries, while lower-middle income countries got only 20%, and the world’s poorest countries got almost nothing. This unequal investment has been persistent for more than half a century.
The agricultural sector would generate high returns from R&D interventions, because relatively small investments upstream can lead to substantial improvements in the efficiency and yield of the entire agricultural sector. This investment will generate better seeds and high-yield crops that can also better handle weather changes like those we will see from climate change. Creating bigger and more resilient harvests will benefit farmers, and producing more food will help consumers with lower prices.
Agricultural R&D at the regional level via Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research has proven consistently beneficial, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with every dollar in investment generating benefits to society worth more than 30 dollars.
Agricultural R&D is a phenomenal investment because not only do we make agrarian workers more productive, but we enable more people to be productive and innovative in other sectors, too. It leads to fewer people being hungry, and to lower costs of food for everyone.
The argument is summed up by Dr Bjorn Lomborg, president of the Copenhagen Consensus Centre: “We can’t deliver on all our promises, but we should deliver on agricultural R&D for the poorest half of the planet, because it’s one of the best investments humanity can make”.
