Towards transforming agricultural food systems in Africa: Seed and production systems, pest control and farmer empowerment

Abstract

The question whether the higher potential of agricultural food systems in Africa would be achieved in the next two decades is increasingly being debated, especially in the context of exponentially increasing human population and the continued low agricultural productivity compared to the rest of the world. Although significant progress has been made, more needs to be done in terms of investment and research to boost crop yields, especially cereals such as maize, which is the most demanded and produced staple on the continent, and other traditional cereals such as finger millet. The African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), like many other scientific peer-reviewed journals, contributes to facilitate dissemination of research outputs to promote development. In this second issue of its fifth volume, scientists sought to address specific questions along the cereal crops value chains, in particular, seed and production systems, pest control and farmer empowerment, and discussed how these findings can inform interventions towards transforming agricultural food systems on the continent.