Recap: 2024 GAP Report Launch

GAP Initiative Research Lead, Tebila Nakelse, reflects on the launch of the 2024 GAP Report.

October 25, 2024

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The 2024 GAP Report launch event underscored the critical role of bundling tools—integrating technologies such as improved seeds, soil health management, digital advisory services, and climate-smart practices—as the most effective way to tackle the complex challenges facing global agriculture productivity growth slow down. Dr. Rob Bertram of USAID emphasized that “bundling interventions in seed systems, agronomy, and soil health can be life-changing, driving investment and improving yields.” By combining technologies like biofortified seeds with advisory services, farmers in places like Ethiopia have seen substantial productivity increases.

In his keynote address, Dr. Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the importance of partnerships, noting that “CGIAR’s ability to scale innovations relies on the strength of its partnerships with governments and the private sector.” These collaborations are crucial to ensuring that bundles of productivity-enhancing tools reach farmers in a holistic manner, are tailored to local needs, and enable them to access solutions that address multiple dimensions of agricultural challenges.

Climate Resilience for Risk Mitigation and Yield Improvement

Climate resilience emerged as a central theme, with participants stressing the need for climate-smart agricultural practices that enable farmers to mitigate risks and increase productivity, particularly in the face of growing climate challenges. Examples from Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa showcased how the bundling of climate-resilient technologies, like early maturing maize varieties, together with advisory services, helped smallholder farmers weather drought conditions. Bertram shared a compelling example from Zambia: “By planting early maturing maize and following the advice, farmers saw significantly better outcomes. It’s about reducing risks while increasing productivity potential.” The ability to access precise climate information through digital platforms, paired with localized knowledge on soil management, is seen as crucial to managing water resources and building long-term resilience. The panel “Off the Shelf & Into the Field Through High Impact Bundles” also stressed that “rainfall management and water conservation are crucial,” especially in regions where rain-fed systems are predominant, reinforcing the idea that climate-smart solutions must be both adaptive and scalable to contribute to sustainable productivity growth.

Profitability and Practicality of New Agricultural Technologies

Farmers are pragmatic and focused on the bottom line, which means profitability and practicality are key factors in their adoption of new agricultural technologies. If technology clearly demonstrates cost savings and efficiency, farmers are more likely to integrate it into their operations. Dr. Basil Gooden, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, illustrated this point during his fireside chat, recalling his own experience of using a hybrid vehicle during a family trip. Initially skeptical, he found himself impressed by the savings, sharing, “I only filled up once on the entire trip.” This experience changed his perspective, highlighting how firsthand exposure to cost-effective solutions can drive adoption. Similarly, showing farmers how technologies like precision farming tools or high-yield crop varieties can boost productivity while reducing costs will encourage their uptake, making practical, profitable solutions a natural fit for agricultural communities.

Market Access and Partnerships to Scale Innovations

The discussion also highlighted the importance of market access and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to scale innovations and make them economically viable for farmers. While technology can improve yields, it is equally important to ensure that farmers can access markets where they can sell their surplus production at fair prices. Dr. Rob Bertram mentioned how “In Malawi, smallholder farmers have been partnered with private companies, giving them better access to innovations and markets,” enabling these farmers to connect with supply chains and enhance their economic returns. Bayer’s Dr. Alejandra Castro pointed out that “Every country’s needs are different… to move forward, we must first understand what farmers truly need.” This points to the necessity of localized solutions, where public and private stakeholders collaborate to design bundled services tailored to specific regional contexts, linking productivity growth with market opportunities. This approach fosters long-term economic sustainability for farmers while driving broader agricultural development.

Digital Tools for Bridging Information Gaps

The event also underscored the transformative role of digital agriculture in bridging the information gap for farmers, especially in remote areas. By using mobile technologies and digital advisory platforms, farmers can now receive real-time data on climate, pests, and market trends, empowering them to make more informed decisions. Bertram explained that “digital communications allow advisory services to reach farmers more quickly and effectively,” illustrating how technology is changing the landscape of agricultural extension services. For instance, in Ethiopia, the use of digital soil maps, combined with local knowledge, has enabled farmers to improve resource use efficiency and boost yields. This shift to digital advisory services not only enhances the accuracy and timeliness of information delivery but also extends the reach of expert advice to previously inaccessible areas, helping farmers overcome traditional barriers to knowledge.

Collaboration to Bridge the Innovation-Adoption Gap

A clear call to action emerged from the discussions, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between public and private actors to bridge the “valley of death”—the gap between research-driven innovations and their widespread adoption on farms. Participants stressed the importance of “ensuring that innovations are driven by the needs of the farmers themselves,” rather than being imposed from external stakeholders. A user-centered approach, where farmers play an active role in shaping the innovation process, was seen as essential for driving adoption at scale. The GAP Initiative was identified as a key platform for facilitating these collaborations, bringing together a range of stakeholders to design, implement, and scale solutions that address the real challenges farmers face. This includes creating supportive policies, fostering market incentives, and ensuring that research efforts are closely aligned with practical on-the-ground needs.

Voices from the Field: Farmers on the Frontline of Agricultural Innovation

The event featured an all-farmer panel, in which farmers from diverse regions shared their experiences with adopting productivity-enhancing technologies. Ms. Rekha Atole from India described how soil testing and micronutrient use through the Krishi Jyoti project improved her crop yields and reduced costs, noting, “Soil testing was the most important thing.” José Luis Gonzalez Chacon from Colombia emphasized blending indigenous knowledge with modern practices, such as using poultry manure to improve soil and solar-powered systems to reduce their carbon footprint. He stated, “We had to develop our own technologies to suit our environment.” Ms. Belinda Burrier from the U.S. highlighted how no-till farming and cover cropping helped her maintain soil moisture during drought, crediting these practices for her farm’s resilience.
Dr. Tebila Nakelse, originally from Burkina Faso, shared how the introduction of high-yielding cassava varieties in his community transformed lives, tripling revenues and improving educational opportunities. “The productivity growth changed everything,” he remarked, illustrating the far-reaching impacts of new agricultural technologies. Collectively, the farmers called for better access to education, financial support, and policies that enable them to adopt these innovations, underscoring the importance of practical, localized solutions in driving sustainable farming globally.

Integrated Approach for Sustainable Productivity Growth

The discussions culminated in a consensus that an integrated approach is essential for sustainable productivity growth. Participants emphasized that no single solution will suffice in isolation. “We need to work together, through partnerships, to deliver sustainable, integrated solutions that are practical for farmers,” concluded Dr. Alejanda Castro, Vice President of International Affairs and Sustainability Strategy at Bayer. Mr. Arun Baral, CEO of HarvestPlus, emphasized that “investing in biofortification not only improves productivity but also enhances nutrition security, especially for vulnerable populations.” This integrated approach involves not only the bundling of innovations and climate-smart practices but also a strong focus on enabling policies, market access, and infrastructure development. The GAP Initiative is poised to lead this effort by promoting collaboration across sectors and ensuring that solutions are comprehensive, addressing both the immediate and long-term challenges of agricultural productivity in the face of climate change, resource constraints, and economic volatility.

Discussions at the GAP Report launch event underscored the urgency of adopting a holistic, collaborative, and inclusive approach to agricultural innovation, one that places farmers at the center and leverages the strengths of both public and private sectors.