## Improving Crop Yields in Sub-Saharan Africa - What Does the East African Data Say

_IMF Working Papers, June 12, 2020_

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Alun H. Thomas
- Published: June 12, 2020
- Series: IMF Working Papers

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### Summary findings
- Recent micro level data from East Africa is used to benchmark aggregate data and assess the role of agricultural inputs in explaining variation in crop yields on smallholding plots.
- Fertilizer, improved seeds, protection against erosion and pesticides improve crop yields in Rwanda and Ethiopia, but not Uganda, possibly associated with lack of use there.
- With all positive yield determinants in place, wheat and maize yields could increase fourfold.
- The data hints at the negative effect of climate change on yields and the benefits of accompanying measures to mitigate its adverse impact (access to finance and protection against erosion).
- The adverse effect of crop damage on yields varies between 12/13 percent (Rwanda, Uganda) to 36 percent (Ethiopia).
- Protection against erosion and investment financing mitigate these adverse effects considerably.

### Quantitative estimates and key statistics
- Yield improvement potential: wheat and maize yields could increase fourfold with all positive determinants in place.
- Adverse effect of crop damage on yields:
  - Rwanda: 12/13 percent
  - Uganda: 12/13 percent
  - Ethiopia: 36 percent

### Determinants of yields identified
- Positive determinants observed (Rwanda and Ethiopia): fertilizer, improved seeds, protection against erosion, pesticides.
- Lack of observed improvement in Uganda possibly associated with lack of use of these inputs.
- Complementary measures that enhance resilience and yield outcomes: access to finance and protection against erosion.

### Policy implications and recommended focus areas
- Scale up use of proven agricultural inputs where underused (fertilizer, improved seeds, pesticides, erosion protection) to unlock yield gains, particularly for wheat and maize.
- Promote access to investment financing to mitigate the adverse impacts of crop damage and climate change on yields.
- Implement and expand protection against erosion as a direct means to reduce yield losses and strengthen resilience to climate change.
- Target country-specific strategies recognizing variation in input use and efficacy across Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Uganda.

*Source: Improving Crop Yields in Sub-Saharan Africa - What Does the East African Data Say (IMF Working Paper No. 2020/095).*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2020/06/12/improving-crop-yields-in-sub-saharan-africa-what-does-the-east-african-data-say-49477_