Agriculture plays a dominant role in the economies of sub-Saharan African countries though productivity has historically lagged behind other regions. In the past two decades, agriculture has been re-prioritized in policy and governments are increasingly mobilizing funding from diverse sources to finance agricultural development projects.
Agricultural systems worldwide are undergoing changes due to shifts in a variety of factors including socioeconomic development, population growth and increasing variable and unpredictable climate conditions. Globally, the majority of farms are both small and family operated; 12% of the world’s agricultural land is operated by small farms, defined as occupying two hectares or less, and 75% is operated by family farms (Lowder et al. 2016).
Agricultural systems worldwide are undergoing changes due to shifts in a variety of factors including socioeconomic development, population growth and increasing variable and unpredictable climate conditions. Globally, the majority of farms are both small and family operated; 12% of the world’s agricultural land is operated by small farms, defined as occupying two hectares or less, and 75% is operated by family farms (Lowder et al. 2016).