Agricultural Intensification in Africa: A Regional Analysis

40 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2015

See all articles by Alejandro Nin Pratt

Alejandro Nin Pratt

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Date Written: March 27, 2015

Abstract

This study assesses the patterns of agricultural intensification in 40 African countries looking at the role fertilizer plays in the process. We propose a set of indicators that uses information on available agricultural land and land suitability to measure intensity of land use in agricultural production. Results show that half of the countries in our sample, those with low population density, have followed a land-abundant intensification path with growth driven by new land incorporated to crop production and increased cropping intensity through the reduction of fallow periods and increased double cropping.

Keywords: Agricultural growth; Agricultural development; Green Revolution; Land use farm inputs; Intensification; Intensive farming; Fertilizers

Suggested Citation

Nin Pratt, Alejandro, Agricultural Intensification in Africa: A Regional Analysis (March 27, 2015). IFPRI Discussion Paper 1433, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2591567 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2591567

Alejandro Nin Pratt (Contact Author)

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

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