Maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to surge 2.3-fold over the next 30 years. Current maize production relies heavily on land expansion rather than yield increases. This study leverages data from 14,773 smallholder fields to identify agronomic practices that can significantly boost yields. The findings indicate that optimized cultivar selection, nutrient management, pest control, and overall crop management can potentially double on-farm yields, adding 82 million tons of maize within the existing cultivated area. The research emphasizes the need for targeted investments in agricultural practices proven to enhance maize yields in the region.

Fernando Aramburu-Merlos, Fatima A. M. Tenorio, Nester Mashingaidze, Alex Sananka, Stephen Aston, Jonathan J. Ojeda, Patricio Grassini