Review of interventions and technologies for sustainable intensification of smallholder crop production in sub-humid sub-Saharan Africa

Last changed: 06 July 2016

Review of interventions and technologies for sustainable intensification of smallholder crop production in sub-humid sub-Saharan Africa – with an assessment of effectiveness of selected options on differently endowed case study farms. A working paper.

In November 2011, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated specific funding to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) for work to support global food security. The allocation was made with the long-term aim to reduce hunger and malnutrition by supporting improvement of agricultural productivity. As part of this a review of the knowledge base was made in the field of sustainable intensification of crop production on smallholder farms, and reported in this working paper. The main focus is soil fertility and plant nutrition, as these are frequently highlighted as a major constraint to crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, but the paper also includes a range of agronomic interventions and technologies needed for crops to take advantage of increased nutrient supply. Finally, the paper also includes scenarios of increased production intensity and current practices in production systems of central Mozambique, and assesses their long-term effects on crop productivity and soil fertility.

Facts:

The Swedish Unversity of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has core compe- tence within the agricultural sciences, including forestry and veterinary sciences. The areas of expertise cover urgent global issues such as food production, energy supply, climate change, biodiversity conservation and control of infectious diseases in animal and man.

To strengthen SLU's involvement in issues related to improving productivity in agriculture, food security and sustainable livelihood in low-income countries, the university has established the programme Agricultural Sciences for Global Development, (SLU Global). The programme's mission is to coordinate and visualize SLU's competence in research, education and expert council within the frame of the Swedish Policy for Global Development.