African farmlands varies from coastal, mangrove soils to dry desert like soils. The fact that Sahara desert occupy approximately 30% of the land mass should be of concern. The remaining 70% had also been subject of intrusion for road, urban development, mining, etc. Ironically, African population has been growing exponentially over the last few decades, despite high level of poverty. Soils are generally developed from low base - cation basement complex with high rate of organic matter loss, producing soils with low fertility. The capacity to naturally support highly productive farming as observed in the North American prairie is lacking. Based on these constraints, I will strongly support small size farms coupled with technological advancement to ensure African food security. African ecosystem and soils seems to be on the high risk end of resilience gradient, with little capacity to withstand the demand for extensive cultivation. Low income farmers also will not be able to manage consequential ecosystem price of large scale agriculture such as groundwater - fertilizer pollution, air quality degradation, etc.
On the basis of these constraints, lets start working toward technology that will support the status quo in Africa. Support for existing small scale farms with objective of better productivity can be achieved with adequate income to still support the African family.
African farmlands varies from coastal, mangrove soils to dry desert like soils. The fact that Sahara desert occupy approximately 30% of the land mass should be of concern. The remaining 70% had also been subject of intrusion for road, urban development, mining, etc. Ironically, African population has been growing exponentially over the last few decades, despite high level of poverty. Soils are generally developed from low base - cation basement complex with high rate of organic matter loss, producing soils with low fertility. The capacity to naturally support highly productive farming as observed in the North American prairie is lacking. Based on these constraints, I will strongly support small size farms coupled with technological advancement to ensure African food security. African ecosystem and soils seems to be on the high risk end of resilience gradient, with little capacity to withstand the demand for extensive cultivation. Low income farmers also will not be able to manage consequential ecosystem price of large scale agriculture such as groundwater - fertilizer pollution, air quality degradation, etc.
On the basis of these constraints, lets start working toward technology that will support the status quo in Africa. Support for existing small scale farms with objective of better productivity can be achieved with adequate income to still support the African family.