Africa in world corn production

This study analyzes global trends in corn production, with a specific focus on the African continent. Characterized by a history of colonial agricultural suppression, rapid population growth, and technological limitations, Africa’s corn production is examined in relation to food security, technological innovation, and environmental challenges. The study’s relevance stems from corn’s status as one of three critical food crops and a vital industrial raw material with continuously increasing global demand. The research aims to assess Africa’s role in global corn production dynamics. Employing a comparative analysis of FAO data on gross production, cultivated areas, and corn yields from 1961 to 2023, the methodology differentiates between extensive (area expansion) and intensive (yield improvement) growth factors. The findings indicate that Africa’s share of global corn output has remained static, while its yields remain the lowest globally. Gross production increases have been primarily driven by cultivated area expansion, with limited adoption of modern agricultural technologies. The study attributes the limited success of the Green Revolution in Africa to underdeveloped infrastructure, political instability, and restricted access to technology for producers. However, the African agricultural sector possesses significant unrealized potential, which can be leveraged through adherence to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and sustained support from the international community.

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