Abstract
Vegetable production in Africa is influenced by regional climatic conditions and economic factors, with each country showing different characteristics. According to the latest data for 2022, cabbage has the highest yield of any cultivated vegetable in Africa, reaching 4.37 Mt (megatonnes). Besides cabbage, vegetables with high production volume include tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc., which are valued in many regions due to their market demand and wide range of cooking uses. Tomatoes are used for a variety of purposes, including fresh consumption, processing (sauces, pastes, etc.), and animal feed, and demand for processed tomatoes in particular is on the rise. From the perspective of land use, while profitable vegetable cultivation is progressing, securing water resources and improving soil fertility in arid regions remain challenges. In addition, as harvest yields tend to become more unstable from year to year due to the effects of climate change, efforts are being made to introduce more efficient cultivation methods and improve varieties.
Production (by vegetables)
The characteristics of vegetable production in Africa show an increasing trend from 1961 to 2022. Cabbage production in 2022 will reach a record level of 4.37 Mt (megatons), the highest overall. Cabbage production is at 100% of its peak level, based on 2022 levels, indicating that it is maintaining a sustainably high production volume. The increase in demand for vegetables in Africa is due to population growth, urbanization, and diversification of diets, and the production of vegetables other than cabbage is also on the rise. However, in some regions, climate change is causing problems such as bad weather, water shortages, and underdeveloped infrastructure, which are affecting production. To address these challenges, African countries are working to improve production techniques and introduce drought-resistant varieties, with the hope of stabilizing vegetable production and achieving sustainable growth.
The maximum is 24.6Mt[2015] of Domestic_supply, and the current value is about 95.3%
Yield(by vegetable)
From 1961 to 2022, the trends in vegetable production in Africa show diverse changes. In 1987 cabbage yield reached 25.1t/ha, the highest ever recorded. However, in 2022, cabbage yield had fallen to 94.4% compared to its peak, showing a slight downward trend in recent years. This decline is linked to environmental impacts on agricultural productivity, such as erratic precipitation patterns due to climate change and soil degradation. In Africa in particular, there is a lot of farmland that is easily affected by the climate, so crop production tends to be easily affected by the weather and the status of irrigation resources. In addition, differences in agricultural techniques from region to region and delays in infrastructure development are also said to be factors contributing to fluctuations in yields. In light of this, efforts are being made to make efficient use of water resources, use sustainable agricultural methods, and introduce environmentally resistant varieties, with the expectation that yields will become more stable in the future.
The maximum is 25.1t/ha[1987] of Cabbage, and the current value is about 94.4%
Land use (by vegetables)
In terms of land use for vegetable production in Africa in 2022, okra will have the largest cultivation area of 2.17 mha (million hectares). The average is 410kha (thousand hectares), with a total of 4.51mha. The reasons for the large area of okra cultivation are related to regional food cultures, high demand, and the fact that it is a relatively adaptable crop. The area of land under vegetable cultivation across Africa is on the rise in line with growing food demand due to population growth and urbanization, but there are also challenges to the efficiency of land use. Water shortages are particularly serious in arid and semi-arid regions, and there is a growing emphasis on developing irrigation systems and making effective use of water resources. Furthermore, as interest in sustainable agriculture grows, soil conservation and the improvement of agricultural techniques have also become issues. In the future, it is expected that a sustainable production system will be established by promoting efficient land use and introducing technologies to improve yields.
The maximum is 24.4t/ha of Cauliflower, the average is 14.1t/ha, and the total is 155t/ha
Tomato usage
The amount of tomatoes produced in Africa for different uses is increasing year by year, with demand for domestic supply in particular rising. Data from 1961 shows that domestic supply of tomatoes was recorded at 24.6 Mt (megatons), the highest value to date. The demand for domestic supply is high because tomatoes are a staple ingredient in many dishes and demand is increasing with urbanization and population growth. Tomatoes are not only used fresh, but are also widely used for processed purposes (such as making sauces and pastes), and as diets across Africa become more diversified, the demand for processed tomatoes is also increasing. This has created an increasing demand for stable supply of tomatoes and efficient harvesting methods. Furthermore, other issues include the introduction of production systems that are less susceptible to the effects of climate change, and the development of storage and transportation infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, and it is hoped that production systems will be strengthened in the future.
The maximum is 24.6Mt[2015] of Domestic_supply, and the current value is about 95.3%
Comments