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The Drivers of Maize Area Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa. How Policies to Boost Maize Production Overlook the Interests of Smallholder Farmers

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  • Romy Santpoort

    (The Netherlands Land Academy, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Maize has become the second most produced crop in the world. Specifically, in sub-Saharan Africa, global statistics show that more and more land is being used for (small-scale) maize production to meet future food demands. From 2007 to 2017, the area on which maize is grown in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by almost 60%. This rate of expansion is considered unsustainable and is expected to come at the expense of crop diversity and the environment. Based on available literature, this paper explores the political and economic processes that contributed to the increased use of land for maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. It discusses population growth as an important driver. Moreover, it unravels some of the politics and narratives triggered by climate change that have paved the way for policy measures that aimed to boost maize production in the region. These measures, which often emphasize the need for increased production, the need for new technologies and resource scarcity, overlook the largest group of maize producers that are least powerful, but most crucial for food security in sub-Saharan Africa: smallholder farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Romy Santpoort, 2020. "The Drivers of Maize Area Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa. How Policies to Boost Maize Production Overlook the Interests of Smallholder Farmers," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:3:p:68-:d:326123
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    2. Eric Owusu Danquah & Yacob Beletse & Richard Stirzaker & Christopher Smith & Stephen Yeboah & Patricia Oteng-Darko & Felix Frimpong & Stella Ama Ennin, 2020. "Monitoring and Modelling Analysis of Maize ( Zea mays L.) Yield Gap in Smallholder Farming in Ghana," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Manuela Teixeira & Eduardo Feijão & Luís Catarino & Ana Rita Matos & Andreia Figueiredo & Jorge Marques da Silva, 2021. "Exploring Local Maize Diversity for Increased Agricultural Sustainability: New Insights into Drought Stress Response and Recovery of Guinea-Bissau Landraces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Sung Kyu Kim & Fiona Marshall & Neil M. Dawson, 2022. "Revisiting Rwanda’s agricultural intensification policy: benefits of embracing farmer heterogeneity and crop-livestock integration strategies," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(3), pages 637-656, June.
    5. Uchechukwu Paschal Chukwudi & Sydney Mavengahama & Funso Raphael Kutu, 2022. "Variation in Maize Grain Yield Indices When Exposed to Combined Heat and Water Stress Conditions under Different Soil Amendments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Zinhle Mashaba-Munghemezulu & George Johannes Chirima & Cilence Munghemezulu, 2021. "Delineating Smallholder Maize Farms from Sentinel-1 Coupled with Sentinel-2 Data Using Machine Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    7. Wonga Masiza & Johannes George Chirima & Hamisai Hamandawana & Ahmed Mukalazi Kalumba & Hezekiel Bheki Magagula, 2021. "Linking Agricultural Index Insurance with Factors That Influence Maize Yield in Rain-Fed Smallholder Farming Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, May.
    8. Learnmore Mwadzingeni & Victor Afari-Sefa & Hussein Shimelis & Sognigbé N’Danikou & Sandiswa Figlan & Lutz Depenbusch & Admire I.T. Shayanowako & Takemore Chagomoka & Malven Mushayi & Pepijn Schreinem, 2021. "Unpacking the value of traditional African vegetables for food and nutrition security," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(5), pages 1215-1226, October.
    9. Mensah, Charles & Enahoro, Dolapo, 2022. "Modeling poultry and maize sector interactions in Southern Africa under a changing climate," SocArXiv ehd3j, Center for Open Science.

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