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Review article2018Peer reviewed

Measuring the impact of plant breeding on sub-Saharan African staple crops

Eriksson, Dennis; Akoroda, Malachy; Azmach, Girum; Labuschagne, Maryke; Mahungu, Nzola; Ortiz, Rodomiro

Abstract

Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are facing huge challenges regarding food insecurity, low agricultural output, and agriculturally incurred environmental degradation. A sustainable and increased crop productivity and diversity is essential to achieve food security in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way. Plant breeding is an important factor contributing to the increased crop productivity and diversity, giving farmers access to genetically improved cultivars that yield more, have better resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and meet consumer expectations. To motivate and encourage further investments, it is important to measure the actual impact of breeding. This review considers available research on the impact of breeding through yield gain and of food security, focusing on 10 important staple crops in SSA. The overall impression is that breeding produces a very high return on investment. Such investments remain centerpieces for meeting the challenges in this region. The discussion focuses on the most important future breeding priorities for each crop, the actors involved, and the importance of mechanisms for dissemination and farmer adoption, and concludes with some policy recommendations.

Keywords

Plant breeding; staple crops; sub-Saharan Africa; genetic gain; poverty reduction

Published in

Outlook On Agriculture
2018, Volume: 47, number: 3, pages: 163-180

      SLU Authors

      • Sustainable Development Goals

      SDG2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
      SDG1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere
      SDG12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Plant Biotechnology
      Genetics and Breeding

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0030727018800723

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/96707