agriculture policy

The 2019 Annual Report showcases key outputs and outcomes achieved by PIM during the year. PIM research informed agricultural policies or investment plans, contributed to the scaling up of programmes and shaped strategic decisions. »

The objective of this study was to examine the constraints of seed production and the causes of seed losses in Northern Ghana. The results indicated that high input costs, undeveloped marketing system and seed distribution channels, erratic rainfall pattern, and inadequate machinery constituted the main challenges for seed producers. Field pests, poor storage structures, poor farm hygiene, and poor bagging process significantly influenced seed losses. »

The Africa agriculture status report of 2018 focusses on the role of state capacity and political will in achieving agricultural transformation in Africa. African countries understand what should be done to trigger transformation, but are faced with capacity constraints that limit their ability to transform. »

This toolkit elaborates the challenge for seed sector development on how to address both the informal and formal seed systems so that farmers have access to a sustainable supply of quality seed of improved crop varieties.  »

This synthesis study summarizes policy monitoring indicators for 14 sub-Saharan African countries. These indicators are commonly used to assess the extent of policy support to agriculture. Results indicate increasing support to farmers in the form of price incentives. »

This brief elaborates on the importance of sustainable groundwater use and management for improved agricultural production. The authors argue that using groundwater for agricultural production has the potential to build resilience in food insecure regions of the world. »