SoC01 African agriculture

MaryMkongo · 2021-09-29T04:45:29+00:00

AFRICA AND AGRICULTURE. Agriculture as a science is defined as growing of crops and animal husbandry. It’s definition may vary since it sometimes include the aspects of nature conservation and it’s sustainability. Agriculture is by far the single most important economic activity in Africa. It provides employment for about two thirds of the continent working population ,and for each country it contributes an average of about 30 to 60 percent of gross domestic product. About 30 percent of the value of production export in Africa is from agriculture. Agricultural activities in Africa started long before the invasion of colonialists in the Dark continent. Some communities such as the Egyptians is a proof of the existence of agriculture before the world civilization. These northern parts of Africa established yearly calendars with the flow of farming seasons before the universal calendar was officially made many years later. The cultural or traditional pattern of yearly division helped farmers to sought out what months are best for growing, harvesting and dead season which means, a period for land resting before the next growing season. Ever since the ancient time, farming and animal rearing systems have evolved and improved with each year passing by through imitation, importation and training, which ensured to provide enough technical know-how on how to progress on Agriculture . Although some changes in Agricultural patterns and systems have been adopted in many countries of Africa, the progress to completely change the scales from a traditional and local patterns to a better, modern, static and permanent systems of Agriculture have not reached the desired rate. This continued lack of progress in agricultural productivity has been blamed for holding back the continent’s overall economic growth and development. Despite the continuous lagging behind in African Agriculture, it literally does not initiate a final blow to African growing economy. Good news is that there is still a chance to change the current status of agriculture in Africa. The question is how can the situation be rectified. How can Africa be the best world’s producers, and, how can agriculture double the economical status of the poorest continent. Here is how Africa can pave it’s way to success Modernization of Agriculture should be the first step to make change at. So one may ask, What is Modern Agriculture? Let us sample the broad meaning of Modern Agricultural System in different perceptions; When you use a small piece of land and you are able to produce a surplus amount of products, or, when you keep an exotic dairy cattle such as a Friesian breed that is able to produce three times more litters of milk than the local breeds, or, when you plant seeds that grows faster and have a shorter life circle than the normal local seeds, when the hybrid plants can withstand the harsh environment such as the hottest climate and an extreme coldness, when a green house is used to produce horticultural crops, replacement of hand and seasonal irrigation systems by more advanced methods such as drip and trickle irrigation or when planters, mowers, harvesters are used instead of hand cheap labor and the general combination of machines to simplify agricultural services, is what can be considered Modernization of Agricultural System. It is a mother of adverse production, in terms of time management, quality and quantity of the products produced be it in Livestock production or crops farming. The knowledge of using genetically modified crops which is a part of modernization can solve two major Africa’s problems that is food insecurity and price fluctuations. With the African population skyrocketing at it’s peak, high yield genetically modified crops that are resistant to weather shocks provide an opportunity for Africa to address food insecurity and fluctuations due to a surplus production. An analysis of more than one hundred studies found that genetically modified crops reduced pesticide by 37 percent, increased yields 22 percent, and farmer’s profit by 68 percent. In aspect of irrigation systems, a growing effects of climate change on weather patterns more irrigation is required. Average yields in irrigated farms are 90 percent higher than hand and rain irrigated farms. Modernization includes the use of inorganic fertilizer, this does not mean organic manure is not preferable, no, organic manure adds nutrition in the soil but not in an equal proportion. It is in terms of effectiveness that the two compete. Soil infertility is a major problem of the arable land in Africa, this is when inorganic fertilizer saves the planting season. Fertilizers such as NPK is highly nutritious, and when applied it distributes nutrients evenly. The Government should ensure that the right type of fertilizers are available at the right price ,because, that affects most of the farmers. To solve a aftermath of inorganic fertilizer, fertilizer education provided by specialists will help lessen environmental and crops damage, this will boost average income. One category that many African countries do not acknowledge is agricultural innovations and inventions. The ideas possessed by creative citizens in different parts of Africa can be a key to navigate through the agriculture challenge since, innovations can introduce some new ways to perform agricultural works. Technology is what runs the world in the recent days. Some inversions like application software, that can be used to link farmers all around the continent is important. Presence of platforms for sharing various news on marketing, the supply and demand of agriculture products is still an innovation not made. The marketing news simply enables farmers to know the set prices and therefore a bargaining power. But also information technology can support better crop fertilizer and pesticide application. It improves land and water management, provides access to weather information, and it connects farmers to sources of credit. Innovations of different machines that can help in harnessing animal power or generation of biogas or any assistance in agricultural tasks, be it heavy or light work can be regarded as a change. The problem is, creativity in Africa is still a dream and the major setback is youth group disengage themselves from agriculture related activities. Censor shows in most African countries a large population of African citizens are youth. As it is known, youth are the man power and the brains of the nation, if they are included in agricultural projects and they put an effort in creative agricultural work, and if agricultural science is taught as a compulsory subject at schools, and that youth grow up loving agriculture from their homesteads, then a great change in the mindset of the youth will be born. This will eventually lead to increase in agricultural production. In terms of land, although Africa has the highest area of arable uncultivated land in the world, being about 202 million hectares of land is untouched, yet farms owned by most citizens occupy less than 2 hectares. This is a result of poor land governance and ownership. Many Africans do not understand potential productivity gains, which means reform land ownership with productivity should be done by the government. Many Africans grow food crops in small farms due to inability to run large plantations caused by lack of enough initial capital, laborers and machinery vacating large pieces of land. The untouched arable land should be allocated and wisely used to increase production. Domestic and foreign Investment can play a great role in assisting farmers financially where there is need to be. Market accessibility, regulations and governance should be improved. The roads used to transport agricultural goods around different countries are unnavigable, especially in rural areas. Roads in different routes should be modified to prevent damage of delicate and perishable goods, and reduce the cost of transportation. Meanwhile providing better incentives to farmers, including reductions in food subsidies, could raise agricultural output nearly by 5 percent. Conclusively, Africa could produce two to three times more cereals and grains which will add 20 percent more cereals and grains to the current worldwide 2.6 billion tones of output. Similar increases could be seen in horticultural crops and livestock under favorable conditions. The dreamed change can not blossom if the traditional ways are still put in action, ignorance by the African citizens is embraced and governance negligence is normalized among nations. As a continental crisis, all people should realize that a lag in agriculture production is a problem that should be adhered to. All professions should work together to make a change. A journalist can broadcast agriculture news, authors can write articles about agriculture, engineers could build agricultural machines. Anyone can contribute. One's idea is what is considered as a valuable asset, as a great man once said “When tillage begins, other arts follow”. We can all make a difference.

Thread starter MaryMkongo
Start date Sep 29, 2021
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