Abstract
This article highlights evidence and lessons learned from the InnovAfrica project conducted by the Agricultural Research Council in collaboration with other international organizations between 2017 and 2021. This project aimed to test and upscale best-bet Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) practices through Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) and improved dissemination strategies across six African countries (viz. Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania). The goal of the project was to improve the food and nutritional security of smallholder farmers in Africa. The article briefly discusses some of the key challenges that smallholder agriculture is facing, results from the agricultural interventions brought in by the InnovAfrica project, evidence-based actions and policy recommendations to improve the sustainable agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers in the South African case study. The study showed that SAI practices increased crop yields and build climate-resilient farming communities. It is recommended that the promotion of SAI practices should be supported by enabling institutions and conducive policies that will enhance access to inputs, market linkages, improved access to credit and good agricultural lands, the establishment of functional farmer groups and participatory learning models. These recommendations can be used by the government and other agencies to develop effective interventions to improve food and nutrition security.
Highlights
Agricultural Research Council–Natural Resources and Engineering, Private Bag X79, Pretoria 0001, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Centre, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa
Results from on-farm farmer-led field experiments suggest that maize and dry bean yields from improved varieties and Conservation Agriculture (CA) increased by over 36%
Capacity-building investments of farmers on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) practices coupled with innovation platforms and participatory engagements such as Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) and Integrated Farm Planning approaches improved the dissemination of skills/knowledge regarding SAI practices
Summary
Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) practices involving maize-legume intercrops including rotations and Conservation Agriculture (CA) increased crop yields and build climate-resilience in the farming communities while reducing adverse environmental impacts. Results from on-farm farmer-led field experiments suggest that maize and dry bean yields from improved varieties and CA increased by over 36%. Capacity-building investments of farmers on SAI practices coupled with innovation platforms and participatory engagements such as Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) and Integrated Farm Planning (widely known as PIP in French acronyms) approaches improved the dissemination of skills/knowledge regarding SAI practices. Evidence from the MAP discussions suggests that the promotion of SAI practices should be supported by enabling institutions and conducive policies that will support farmers with infrastructure, equipment and enhance their access to appropriate information, inputs, market linkages, good agricultural land and credit (capital), the establishment of functional farmer groups and participatory learning models
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