Farm-level factors significantly influence maize yield gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa
Understanding and closing yield gaps in agriculture, particularly in diverse regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, requires a holistic approach that considers not only biophysical and management factors but also socio-economic and institutional elements.
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Management factors, especially nutrient supply and crop management, remain the most dominant considerations in yield gap analyses.
- 02There is a slow but growing trend towards incorporating socio-economic and institutional factors.
- 03Methodological diversity is increasing, with greater adoption of remote sensing and GIS.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers of agricultural solutions must integrate an understanding of socio-economic and institutional contexts alongside biophysical and management factors to effectively address yield gaps.
How to apply
When designing agricultural interventions or technologies for developing regions, conduct thorough stakeholder analysis to understand local socio-economic conditions, access to resources, and institutional support systems.
Project actions
- 01When researching a problem, look beyond the obvious technical aspects to consider the human and societal elements.
- 02Consider how your design might be affected by or interact with local economic conditions, social structures, and governance.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a comprehensive synthesis of a decade of research.
- +Highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach in agricultural research.
Limitations
The study is a review, so it synthesizes existing research rather than generating new primary data. The focus is specifically on maize in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings depends on the quality and scope of the studies reviewed. Validity is enhanced by the synthesis of a decade of research across a broad geographical area, but the focus on maize in SSA limits generalizability.
Think critically
How might a design for improved irrigation systems fail if it doesn't account for local land ownership structures or the cost of water access?
Design Principles
"Holistic agricultural system design must account for the interconnectedness of biophysical, management, socio-economic, and institutional factors to achieve optimal outcomes."
For designers and engineers working in agricultural technology or resource management, this highlights the need to develop solutions that are sensitive to the complex interplay of factors affecting crop yields. Ignoring socio-economic contexts can lead to the adoption of technologies that are not practical or effective for the intended users.
What This Means for Your Design
To help farmers grow more crops, it's not just about giving them better seeds or fertilizer. You also need to think about their money situation, how they get information, and the rules in their community.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of considering socio-economic and institutional factors in your design project, especially if it relates to agriculture or resource management in developing contexts.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2023). A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered?. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/8e469020-6980-423c-98c4-a4d6ffc0ce0e/farm-level-factors-significantly-influence-maize-yield-gaps-in-sub-saharan-africa
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that agricultural productivity, such as closing yield gaps in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. While biophysical and management aspects like nutrient supply are critical, socio-economic and institutional elements also play a significant role. Therefore, any design project aiming to improve agricultural outcomes must consider these broader contextual factors to ensure the effectiveness and adoption of proposed solutions.
Source
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered?
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about farm-level factors significantly influence maize yield gaps in sub-saharan africa?
- Designers of agricultural solutions must integrate an understanding of socio-economic and institutional contexts alongside biophysical and management factors to effectively address yield gaps. Evidence: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (2023).
- Why does "Farm-level factors significantly influence maize yield gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa" matter for design?
- For designers and engineers working in agricultural technology or resource management, this highlights the need to develop solutions that are sensitive to the complex interplay of factors affecting crop yields. Ignoring socio-economic contexts can lead to the adoption of technologies that are not practical or effective for the intended users.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers of agricultural solutions must integrate an understanding of socio-economic and institutional contexts alongside biophysical and management factors to effectively address yield gaps.
- What were the main findings?
- Management factors, especially nutrient supply and crop management, remain the most dominant considerations in yield gap analyses.. There is a slow but growing trend towards incorporating socio-economic and institutional factors.. Methodological diversity is increasing, with greater adoption of remote sensing and GIS.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review and Synthesis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing agricultural interventions or technologies for developing regions, conduct thorough stakeholder analysis to understand local socio-economic conditions, access to resources, and institutional support systems.
- What are the limitations?
- The review focuses on maize yield gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa, and findings may not be directly transferable to other crops or regions. The 'slow shift' in incorporating socio-economic factors suggests that these are still underrepresented in the literature.
- Is there evidence that factors affects design outcomes?
- While nutrient and crop management are still the primary focus in understanding why farms don't achieve their maximum potential yield, researchers are slowly starting to include social and economic factors, and are using more advanced tools like satellite imagery and mapping software. For designers and engineers workin Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (2023).
- Where does this farm-level factors research apply?
- Agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa It sits within resource management research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
factors design research · evidence on factors · does factors improve design outcomes · farm-level factors studies for designers · factors and farm-level factors findings · resource management research evidence