Climate change and population growth are exacerbating Africa’s food security challenges. Prioritizing agricultural innovation that is geared to success is critical to helping African farmers to improve food security and lift their farm incomes.

The Issues

Compounded by the pressures of climate change and population growth, food security is an urgent issue for many regions including Central and South America, and Asia, but nowhere it is more pressing than Africa.

According to the United Nations, 73 million African people are living in the grips of an urgent food crisis, and 129 million more are on the cusp of food insecurity.And, with more than half of the world’s population growth likely to occur in Africa between now and 2050, food security on the continent is both a cause for urgency and an opportunity for agrifoodtech innovation to flourish.

In relative terms, the cost of food is high for Africans who pay an average 30 to 40 per cent more for food than other countries with a similar GDP, and rely heavily  on food imported from outside the continent. Such reliance drives up food prices, while the Covid Pandemic has highlighted the risks from disruptions in global supply chain logistics and steeply increased freight costs.

For all that, agriculture plays an outsized role in most African economies. Its contribution to GDP is high and agriculture employs a large percentage of the workforce, mostly on smallholder family farms lacking access to inputs and technology.

Additionally, African farmers face rising temperatures and sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather and climate events. The World Meteorological Association suggested in its 2019 report: Climate Change and Africa that these conditions could lead to yield reductions in major crops of between five and 21 per cent.. 

Biolevel’s Co-Founder Laurence Berman says that their products have the potential to prove the benefits of its products beyond the traditional crops of Europe and North America.  

“From the outset, Biolevel has focused on establishing a presence in Kenya, an innovative, export-driven market with a sophisticated agricultural sector,” says Biolevel co-founder Laurence Berman. "Kenya’s strong agricultural tradition and rigorous product assessments make it a respected leader across Africa. As a mission-driven business, Biolevel is committed to partnering with smallholder farmers in the region, making our innovative biological solutions available to support sustainable agriculture in this and other emerging markets. By collaborating with Kenyan farmers, we aim to provide them with a meaningful return on investment through improved yields while showcasing Biolevel’s potential impact within a region that sets high standards for agricultural excellence."

Five keys to successful agricultural innovation for African crop growers

Key To Successful Innovation	How Biolevel Products Measure Up
1.  Improved logistics Agriculture in Africa relies heavily on transportation for both inputs and finished goods. While geography is partly responsible for lack of infrastructure and isn’t easily overcome, one solution is to develop products that are more easily transported (low volume/low mass) and use innovative delivery methods.	Biolevel’s biological products are applied at 250g/ha compared with conventional bulk fertilizers with use rates of over 100 kg/ha which makes them low volume/low mass.These are easily transported and distributed by pioneering ‘last mile’ delivery start-ups when typical smallholder farms only require the equivalent volume of a chocolate bar each growing season.This is one way Biolevel can provide equal access to all geographies and work towards the goal of equity.
2.  Prioritization of safety Africa is home to some of the world’s most important wildlife and natural habitats, with close proximity between smallholder farms, communities and wildlife reserves. Product safety is critical in any market, but never more so than where the risk of accidental misuse is high, and the risk of commingling with food supply more likely. For example, where treated seed could be accidentally diverted into the food supply.	Biolevel products consist of Biosafety Level 1 type microbes which means these products have never been found to be harmful to animals, plants or people.
3.  Ease of use Any new soil health enhancement/nutrient management/crop management solutions must be easy to use by smallholder farmers, fitting into their systems and agronomic practices, and not require any specialist equipment or farm productivity tools, which may be costly, and not readily available.	Biolevel products including MaizeNP, PhosN, GramaxNP and ReGenerator are easily applied in multiple ways by farmers and do not require specialized machinery. Biolevel has  been partnering with the Aga Khan Development Network in Kenya to demonstrate how to use products in local conditions, and these projects are also being used to share best practices and methods for crop yield improvement with a large number of other smallholder farmers.
4.  Sustainability Industrialization and the degradation of land due to increased use of agricultural inputs, are  challenging China’s quest for high yield crops, protect drinking water from agricultural run-off, and feed their growing population. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices in Africa so it avoids the pitfalls experienced by China is critical for the African people, and for the continent’s natural habitats.	Biolevel products allow these often conflicting goals of increasing yield and sustainability to converge, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting  water pollution and runoff/contamination, and streamlining supply chains.
5.  Profitability Any on-farm innovation must be profitable for the end-user; the farmer. Every dollar spent on biological agricultural inputs must return several more dollars' worth of additional yield, while the initial investment in the biologicals must be affordable. Traditional bulky and heavy fertilizers are often a key cost -driver for farmers.	Biolevel’s low application rate of 250g/ha helps keep the delivered cost affordable for growers, while its demonstration plots in Kenya have highlighted significant yield improvements on potatoes and corn. For example, potato yields increased from 7-8 t/ha on typical smallholder farms to 12 t/ha. Trials in corn were similarly successful.

Biolevel’s Kenya Business Development Manager, Gabriel Chinembiri, says that irrespective of geography, “So soil analysis recommendations shouldn't just focus on adding more fertilizers or higher P blends. Instead, they should aim to enhance nitrogen movement and phosphorus solubilization for better plant availability,” says Gabriel. “Biolevel's biofertilizers improve nutrient accessibility, boosting pest and disease resistance as well as yields, by prioritizing soil biology”.

For more information about Biolevel’s work in Kenya or our products please contact Gabriel Chinembiri +254 718 178866 or via email.