IMF Working Papers

Improving Crop Yields in Sub-Saharan Africa - What Does the East African Data Say

By Alun H. Thomas

June 12, 2020

Download PDF

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Alun H. Thomas Improving Crop Yields in Sub-Saharan Africa - What Does the East African Data Say, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2020) accessed December 23, 2024

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

Recent micro level data from East Africa is used to benchmark aggregate data and assess the role of agricultural inputs in explaining variation in crop yields on smallholding plots. Fertilizer, improved seeds, protection against erosion and pesticides improve crop yields in Rwanda and Ethiopia, but not Uganda, possibly associated with lack of use there. With all positive yield determinants in place, wheat and maize yields could increase fourfold. The data hints at the negative effect of climate change on yields and the benefits of accompanying measures to mitigate its adverse impact (access to finance and protection against erosion). The adverse effect of crop damage on yields varies between 12/13 percent (Rwanda, Uganda) to 36 percent (Ethiopia). Protection against erosion and investment financing mitigate these effects considerably.

Subject: Agricultural commodities, Agricultural sector, Agroindustries, Climate change, Commodities, Consumption, Economic sectors, Education, Environment, National accounts

Keywords: Africa, Aggregate yield data, Agricultural commodities, Agricultural sector, Agroindustries, Climate change, Consumption, Crop, Crop damage, Crop yield, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ethiopia crop, Inputs, Rwanda, Sub-Saharan Africa, WP, Yield, Yield determinant

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    22

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 2020/095

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA2020095

  • ISBN:

    9781513546223

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941

Supplemental Resources

You May Also Be Interested In...

Paraguay: Fourth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument, Request for Modification of Targets, Second Review Under the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, and Request for Rephasing Access-Press Release; and Staff Report

December 23, 2024

Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Selected Issues

December 20, 2024

Size and Resilience of the Blue Economy in Pacific Island Economies

December 20, 2024

Industrialization and the Big Push: Theory and Evidence from South Korea

December 20, 2024