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A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered?

Hall, Ola LU ; Wahab, Ibrahim LU ; Dahlin, Sigrun ; Hillbur, Per LU ; Jirström, Magnus LU and Öborn, Ingrid (2024) In International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 22(1).
Abstract
The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a... (More)
The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA.

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author
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organization
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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
volume
22
issue
1
article number
2293591
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85180832069
ISSN
1473-5903
DOI
10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9b748a9f-c011-4e0a-9915-3d9047df8e93
date added to LUP
2023-12-28 16:42:25
date last changed
2024-02-06 15:13:30
@article{9b748a9f-c011-4e0a-9915-3d9047df8e93,
  abstract     = {{The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA.<br/><br/>}},
  author       = {{Hall, Ola and Wahab, Ibrahim and Dahlin, Sigrun and Hillbur, Per and Jirström, Magnus and Öborn, Ingrid}},
  issn         = {{1473-5903}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability}},
  title        = {{A decade of maize yield gap studies in sub-Saharan Africa: how are farm-level factors considered?}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14735903.2023.2293591}},
  volume       = {{22}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}