Smallholder farmers play a critical role in global food security, producing roughly a third of the world’s food despite working on small plots of land. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 70% of the world’s 570 million farms are less than one hectare in size, and five out of every six farms cover less than two hectares.
These farmers operate only around 12% of the world’s agricultural land but contribute significantly to the global food supply. In Africa, smallholder farms account for 70% of the continent’s food production.
Despite their contributions, smallholders face numerous challenges, including limited resources, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and vulnerability to climate change. To enhance their productivity, smallholder farmers need to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which are key to optimizing yields and ensuring sustainable farming practices.
Youths in Rwanda are advocates for good agricultural practices such as effective land preparation, adaptation to climatic change, the use of digital content interventions and other practices to increase production. Photo credit: Ishimwe Rosaire
The Importance of Good Agricultural Practices
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are practices designed to help farmers improve productivity by optimizing resource use in bridging the gap for technological tools that provide education to enhance production, and adapting to environmental conditions. The first and perhaps most essential GAP is the use of improved seeds that are specifically suited to local environments.
Improved seeds offer higher yields, greater resistance to pests, and better adaptability to weather changes. By planting seeds that are optimized for their climate and soil conditions, smallholder farmers can significantly increase their crop production without expanding their land.
In addition to improved seeds, the proper use of organic and inorganic fertilizers is crucial. Organic fertilizers, such as compost or manure, provide long-term benefits to soil health by enhancing its nutrient content and structure.
Inorganic fertilizers, when applied correctly, can quickly replenish vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. Combining both types of fertilizers can help farmers maintain soil fertility and boost crop yields over multiple growing seasons.
Land Preparation and Efficient Planting
Another critical aspect of GAP is effective land preparation. Methods like zero tillage—which involves minimizing soil disturbance—can help preserve soil structure, retain moisture, and prevent erosion. Covering soil, Crop rotation and avoiding over-cropping are also essential for maintaining soil health and preventing nutrient depletion.
A field where mulching has been applied to lower soil moisture loss. Photo credit: Ishimwe Rosaire.
Additionally, smallholder farmers should time their planting carefully, as planting crops too early or too late in the season can result in poor yields due to adverse weather conditions. Understanding local climate patterns and planting at the optimal time ensures that crops receive the right amount of rain and sunlight throughout their growing cycle.
Adapting to Climate Change and Resource Constraints
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing smallholder farmers, who are often dependent on rain-fed agriculture. In regions where rainfall is unpredictable, farmers should consider irrigation as a way to ensure consistent water supply. Since advanced irrigation systems are often too costly for smallholders, they can dig simple water retention structures like dams to collect rainwater, which can be used during dry spells. This form of water management is both cost-effective and sustainable, helping farmers protect their crops from drought and ensuring a more stable yield.
Another way to increase productivity while reducing costs is through sustainable farming practices. Smallholder farmers can produce their own organic compost by recycling crop residues, such as maize leaves, into compost fertilizer.
This reduces their dependency on expensive chemical fertilizers and promotes environmentally friendly farming. Composting also enriches the soil, fostering healthier plant growth and increasing yields over time.
Record Keeping and Monitoring
A common issue among smallholder farmers is the lack of record keeping. Many do not track their inputs (such as seeds, fertilizers, and labor) or outputs (harvest quantities), making it difficult to assess farm productivity or plan for future seasons.
By keeping detailed records, farmers can better understand their costs, identify inefficiencies, and make informed decisions about resource allocation. This simple practice can greatly improve farm management, leading to higher productivity and profitability.
Merging farms
To improve farm yields, smallholder farmers can collaborate with neighboring farms by pooling their resources. This collective approach allows them to share inputs like machinery, labor, and water systems, reducing individual costs while maximizing efficiency.
By merging certain operations, they can benefit from economies of scale, access to better technology, and improved knowledge sharing, which in turn can lead to higher productivity and enhanced sustainability. This model also fosters a sense of community and strengthens resilience to external challenges, such as market fluctuations or climate changes.
Conclusion
Improving the productivity of smallholder farmers is essential to strengthening global food security and enhancing rural livelihoods. By adopting Good Agricultural Practices, such as using improved seeds, optimizing fertilizer use, practicing sustainable land management, and adapting to climate change, smallholders can significantly increase their yields.
In addition, simple but crucial steps like keeping records of farm activities will enable farmers to monitor their progress and make data-driven decisions that improve long-term productivity. With the right tools and techniques, smallholder farmers have the potential not only to meet local food demands but also to contribute more substantially to global agricultural markets.
Ultimately, empowering smallholder farmers is key to creating a more resilient, sustainable, and food-secure world.
