ARDHI UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF SPATIA PLANNING AND SOCIAL SCIENCIES

NAME: TARIMO DENIS A.

REG NO: 21990/ T.2018

SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT

CODE: RP 332

QN: Are there any possibilities for green revolution in Africa?

The green Revolution, or the Third Agricultural Revolution, is the set of research technology
transfer initiatives occurring between 1950 and the late 1960’s that increased agricultural
production in parts of the world, beginning most markedly in the late 1960’s. The initiatives
resulted in the adoption of the new technologies, including high yielding varieties of cereals,
especially dwarf wheat and rice. It was associated with chemical fertilizers agrochemicals, and
controlled water supply (usually involving irrigation) and newer methods of cultivation,
including mechanization. All of these together were seen as a package of practices to supersede
traditional technology and to be adopted as a whole. The key elements of the revolution include;

I. Use of the latest technological and capital inputs.

II. Adoption of modern scientific methods of farming,
III. Use of high yielding varieties of seeds.
IV. Proper use of chemical fertilizers.
V. Consolidation of land holdings.

Yes I agree there is a possibility of a Green Revolution to occur in Africa due to the following
reasons;

Establishment of policies which enable the transformation of rural farmers from a traditional
agricultural or farming system supporting subsistence and local trade to the adoption of modern
seed species, inputs, and credit in order to specialize in marketable crops and achieve increased
production and income example in Rwanda. But “Malthusian policy” has some obstacles to the
rural population in Rwanda since most of them could not achieve the modern agriculture but
despite of the obstacles the policy has been pronounced as a successful in reduce poverty and
enhancing food security (IMF, 2011) and this is an indicator which will make the green
revolution to occur in Africa by establishing the polices concerning the implementation of the
green revolution.
The new green revolution also was adopted in Malawi. Malawi act as a role model of other
countries due to after the four years of chronic food shortage, Malawi turned itself around and
started producing enough maize to fulfil its national requirements in 2006 and even to start the
exportation of maize in 2007 after the government decided follow the green revolution model,
subsiding the distribution of chemical fertilizers and hybrid maize seeds . After the adoption of
the Green Revolution, agriculture sector in Malawi grow and also production of crops increase
especially maize production. Malawi story has become the powerful tool for the promotion of a
new green revolution in Africa. Therefore, due to that fact in Malawi, it is possible for the green
revolution to occur in Africa.

Modification in the farming system in Sub Saharan countries. The farming system that can
potentially transform the agriculture system in some parts of Africa into an intensified farming
system. Modification of farming system in African countries will help in increase of the
production. The new farming which may be focus on Organic Green Revolution which is based
on the use of manure produced by the improved dairy cows. The organic green revolution is
suitable or can be used in many parts of Sub Saharan Africa because it does not ready on
irrigation system and the use of chemical fertilizers which is more expensive in Africa and risky
without irrigation system. The main example is in Kenya, production of maize increased due to
the use of organic green revolution .Therefore if all countries in Africa use this kind of farming
system it will possible for Green revolution to occur in Africa.

Establishment of the Alliance of the green revolution in Africa (AGRA). The Alliance was
established in 2006 , the AGRA approach is comprehensive , addressing key challenges across
the agricultural value chain , ranging from the development of more resilient crops varieties that
can resist against pests, diseases and harsh climates to new methods of integrated soil fertility
management and water management that can supply crops with necessary nutrients while
restoring the natural resource base to strengthen local and regional markets , and to build other
forms of technology delivery systems for the farmers, also this will make the green revolution be
possible occurring in Africa.
Reference

 Clemens B, at el.2009. Potential impacts of a Green Revolution in Africa-The case of

Ghana.
 United Nations.2009. Sustainable “Green Revolution in Africa only Possible with
Radical Change in Thinking about Agriculture, Sustainable Development Commission
Told.
 Brittannica ,(2021) Green revolution (www.britannica.com)