Productivity of food crops including cereals and grain legumes particularly in semi-arid dry land areas is about a ton per hectare. The yield gaps in terms of current versus potential levels are high – up to 4 tons per hectare in cereals. In vast areas farming still involve unsustainable slash-and-burn practices. Productivity of agricultural land in most areas is limited by limited use of appropriate fertilizers, land degradation, and soil health problems. Likewise, livestock productivity levels in terms of weight gains, and production of milk and eggs are low. Unsustainable fishing practices such as using unallowable gears in both marine and fresh waters still exist. Production failures mainly due to droughts and outbreaks of pests and diseases are not uncommon–and are exacerbated by climate change. Thus, upgrading the productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries is critical for sustainable food systems in the country by 2030.
UTR COMMITMENT: Concretize investment in locally adaptive innovation and access to affordable technologies and digitalization; ensure equitable access to land and water use; increase Investment in infrastructures (irrigation, rural roads, fishing gears, and storage and processing); increase public-private investment in local seeds, s***n, animal breeds, and fingerlings production; expansion of access to extension services; strengthening producers skills and creativity; diversified production; diseases and paste management practices, promote precision and climate-smart agriculture.