Africa’s drylands, covering roughly 43 percent of the continent, are increasingly challenged by climate change, diminishing rainfall, and land degradation. These harsh environments have left millions of people vulnerable to food insecurity, poor nutrition, and economic instability. In response, a new strategy aims to transform agriculture in these regions using regenerative and sustainable approaches.
A comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2025–2030 has been unveiled, charting a new direction for agriculture in Africa’s semi-arid areas. The plan is centered on innovative research and technology to support smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Titled “Microbial Solutions for Advancing Nature-Positive and Regenerative Agriculture in Drylands,” the strategy introduces the use of beneficial microorganisms as a key tool to restore soil health, increase productivity, and reduce environmental impact.
This initiative brings microbes into the spotlight as powerful allies in the mission to build sustainable food systems. Decades of research underpin the approach, which promotes microbial consortia to enhance soil fertility, sequester carbon, control pests naturally, and improve nutrient cycling. These solutions are designed to move farmers away from heavy reliance on chemical inputs while increasing resilience against the harsh climate of the drylands.
The new strategy envisions a transformation where drylands become thriving hubs of innovation, food production, and community development. By harnessing microbial science, climate-resilient crops, and digital technologies, the plan aims to drive economic growth, enhance environmental sustainability, and improve food and nutrition security.
One of the key components involves developing improved seed varieties that require minimal water and nutrients but deliver high yields. These seeds, when paired with effective agronomic practices, can offer a sustainable path forward for small-scale farmers struggling in arid and semi-arid areas. The strategy emphasizes the importance of equipping farmers with the right knowledge, tools, and resources to succeed.
Digital technology is another pillar of the transformation. With mobile phone penetration exceeding 80 percent across Africa, the plan sees enormous potential in using mobile platforms to provide real-time access to information on seeds, weather patterns, market prices, and farming techniques. By connecting youth to opportunities in value chains such as seed distribution, crop aggregation, and product value addition, the strategy aims to create employment and encourage agribusiness in dryland communities.
Moreover, the plan supports the evolution of subsistence farming into more entrepreneurial agricultural models. Through partnerships with the private sector, it seeks to build robust markets for dryland crops and support farmers in transitioning to commercial production.
A vital part of the strategy is collaboration with regional and international stakeholders to ensure that scientific advances quickly reach the ground. With growing concerns around climate change and land degradation, this collective approach is designed to bring impactful, scalable solutions to vulnerable communities.
The initiative also includes the use of germplasm banks to develop improved varieties of dryland-adapted crops such as sorghum, millet, chickpea, pigeon pea, and groundnut. These crops are not only suited to arid conditions but also offer higher nutritional value and resistance to pests.
In the broader context, the strategy is designed to fuel an agricultural innovation agenda that extends beyond farming. It seeks to impact food processing, nutrition programs, and rural economies, bringing wide-reaching benefits across Africa’s food system.
