Agriculture in Africa is expected to meet the dual objectives of providing food and helping people to escape poverty. African agriculture is dominated by smallholdings and donors generally target their agricultural support at the smallholder sector. The expectation is that if the gap between actual and potential yields can be closed, smallholders will grow sufficient crops to feed their families, with a surplus to sell, thus meeting food security needs and bringing in an income to move them out of poverty.

In practice, this is often not possible. While technologies already exist that can raise smallholder farmers’ yields 3 or 4 times, even under rainfed conditions, the small size of land available to them limits how much can be grown and the per capita income from agriculture is insufficient to allow people to move above the current World Bank-defined poverty line of US$1.90 per day. We link this finding with farmer typologies to further explain that there are large differences between individual farming households themselves in terms of their investment incentives and capability to benefit from field-level technologies that are aimed at increasing farm productivity. We argue for more differentiated policies for agricultural development in Africa and suggest that policymakers should be much more aware of the heterogeneity of farms and target interventions accordingly.

It is important to understand where and for whom agriculture will have the main purpose of ensuring food and nutritional security and where and for whom there is the potential for significant increases in incomes and a contribution to wider economic growth. Therefore, CYVB recognize that Eradicating hunger and poverty is crucial for creating a more just and equitable world. It improves people’s quality of life, promotes social stability, and enhances global economic growth. By addressing these challenges, we can help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
It is a moral obligation to ensure that all individuals have access to basic necessities like food, clean water, and shelter. Hunger and poverty can lead to suffering, illness, and premature death.
Poverty and hunger can contribute to social unrest and instability. Addressing these issues can help maintain peace and reduce the potential for conflict.

Poverty often hinders economic development. When people have access to resources and opportunities, they can contribute to their country’s economy, fostering growth and prosperity.
Hunger and poverty can limit access to healthcare and education, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage. Eliminating them can improve health outcomes and promote education.
In our interconnected world, poverty and hunger can have spillover effects, such as migration and the spread of diseases. Addressing these issues globally can benefit everyone.

Eradicating hunger and poverty is not only a matter of compassion but also essential for social stability, economic growth, and global well-being. It’s a complex and interconnected goal that requires collective effort from governments, organizations, and individuals.