A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered?
The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronoun...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591 |
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| author | Ola Hall Ibrahim Wahab Sigrun Dahlin Per Hillbur Magnus Jirström Ingrid Öborn |
| author_facet | Ola Hall Ibrahim Wahab Sigrun Dahlin Per Hillbur Magnus Jirström Ingrid Öborn |
| author_sort | Ola Hall |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-30f3e2b9de4348598f1343a2dd4ed9e7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1473-5903 1747-762X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-30f3e2b9de4348598f1343a2dd4ed9e72025-01-06T14:27:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Agricultural Sustainability1473-59031747-762X2024-12-0122110.1080/14735903.2023.2293591A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered?Ola Hall0Ibrahim Wahab1Sigrun Dahlin2Per Hillbur3Magnus Jirström4Ingrid Öborn5Lund University, Lund, SwedenLund University, Lund, SwedenSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, SwedenMalmö University, Malmö, SwedenLund University, Lund, SwedenSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, SwedenThe study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591Productivity gapsconsidered factorsfarm levelmaizefood security |
| spellingShingle | Ola Hall Ibrahim Wahab Sigrun Dahlin Per Hillbur Magnus Jirström Ingrid Öborn A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered? International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability Productivity gaps considered factors farm level maize food security |
| title | A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered? |
| title_full | A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered? |
| title_fullStr | A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered? |
| title_full_unstemmed | A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered? |
| title_short | A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered? |
| title_sort | decade of maize yield gap studies in sub saharan africa how are farm level factors considered |
| topic | Productivity gaps considered factors farm level maize food security |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591 |
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