The world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. This justifies the urgency for food production yields to be increased in order to feed an ever growing population. To meet the ever increasing food demand across the globe, a lot of strategies have been deployed to increase food production yields, most of which has led to huge environmental degradation and worsened the impact of climate change in the agri-food ecosystem.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the global food systems, there is great need for the global adoption of food production approaches that are regenerative and can protect the environment as well as natural resources. Despite all efforts by key stakeholders in the agri-food systems to ensure the adoption of environmentally sustainable approaches for large scale food production, balancing productivity and sustainability has proven to be a complex challenge for the majority of key players in the agri-food systems. Does this mean that we have to choose between higher food production yields and degrading the environment or lower food production yields and a protected environment? The answer is no. There are several approaches that can be adopted by food producers across Africa to achieve higher food production yields without negative impacts on the environment.

First, we need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. These practices include crop rotation, cover cropping, and integrated pest management. Crop rotation helps to improve soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Cover cropping helps to prevent soil erosion and improve water infiltration. Integrated pest management uses a combination of biological, mechanical, and chemical methods to control pests.

Secondly, we need to invest in research and development of new technologies. These technologies can help us to increase crop yields while also reducing our impact on the environment. For example, new varieties of crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases can help to reduce the use of pesticides.

Finally, we need to change the way we think about food production. We need to move away from a model of industrial agriculture that is based on maximizing yields at all costs. This model has led to several environmental problems, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. We need to adopt a more sustainable approach to food production that respects the environment and natural resources.

By adopting these cost effective agricultural practices, we can create a more sustainable food system that can feed the world without destroying the planet.

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