Abstract
This paper analyses the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission along the value chains of two strategic commodities in West Africa (rice and maize) in four pilot countries: Ghana, Senegal Benin and Cote D’Ivoire. The Value Chains Analysis and Greenhouse model used in this study, provides insight into the relationship between output maximization and GHG emissions to help define optimal intervention approaches that minimize emissions while maximizing the potential yield, hence boost food security. It highlights intervention measures for improvement of production and productivity along with the identification of mitigation measures to reduce GHG emissions. It also revealed that the largest GHG emission factor from maize farming in the selected countries is from the application of nitrogen fertilizers (NO2), and for rice farming, depending on the systems, e.g. rain fed, irrigated or multiple aeration, the emission is mostly due to anaerobic decomposition of methane (CH4) which increases with flooding practice.
Highlights
Agriculture is the primary sector of almost any African economy
The Value Chain Analysis-Greenhouse Gas (VCA-GHG) model implemented for this study provides insight into the relationship between output maximization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help define optimal intervention approaches that minimize GHG emissions while maximizing the potential economic yield
The results of the study showed that major source of GHG emission in rice farming in the two pilot countries is methane (CH4) gas which arises from the anaerobic decomposition of biomass in soil under cover of water
Summary
Agriculture is the primary sector of almost any African economy. About 65% of the total labor force is employed in the agriculture sector, which contributes about 32% of the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP). This lack of transformation perpetuates the characterization of Africa as a cheap and secure source of primary commodities required to feed the growing needs and changing demands of the traditionally established and newly emerging industrial super-economies In line with both Abuja High Level Conference on Agribusiness and Agro industries and the Malabo Declarations, which respectively 1) urged the African Union AU member states to establish the requisite legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks to support agribusiness and agro-industry development, and to put in place programs to accelerate the development of the value of strategic food commodities; and 2) committed to halving poverty by the year 2025 through inclusive agricultural growth and transformation. The Value Chain Analysis-Greenhouse Gas (VCA-GHG) model implemented for this study provides insight into the relationship between output maximization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help define optimal intervention approaches that minimize GHG emissions while maximizing the potential economic yield
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