By Abiodun Olusola Omotayo
Publication Date: 2026-06-03 13:42:00
Agriculture worldwide is under increasing pressure. This is triggered by climate change, land degradation, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and the demand for food from a growing population.
At the same time, productivity is uneven. For example, corn yields in the United States often exceed 10 tons per hectare. These high yields are achieved through mechanization, improved seed varieties, irrigation and efficient use of inputs, increasingly supported by precision agriculture technologies. In contrast, yields in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa remain around 2-3 tonnes per hectare. This reflects constraints such as limited access to inputs, reliance on rain-fed systems, and weaker infrastructure and institutional support.
Smallholders make up around 80% of farmers in developing countries. They often struggle with low yields due to limited access to key agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers and agrochemicals (herbicides and pesticides). They are less likely to rely on…
