Innovation and sustainability in agriculture on the african continent

a bibliometric review

Abstract

For a better understanding of the theme of innovation and sustainability in agriculture on the African continent, a bibliometric analysis was carried out using the search terms “innovation”, “sustainability”, “agriculture” and “Africa”, in the database “Scopus (Elsevier)”, in the period between 1993 and 2022. 94 publications were found, resulting in the formation of three clusters in relation to the search terms, namely: (i) sustainability; (ii) agriculture; and (iii) innovation. In addition, the review identified the main countries and research institutions that developed studies with this theme. The collected data demonstrate several factors that hinder the innovation and sustainable development of agriculture in the African continent, namely: (i) inadequate strategies and public policies; (ii) lack of crop varieties more resistant to climate variation; (iii) the need to identify underutilized crops with the greatest potential for success, and prioritize them for research; (iv) lack of adequate digital technologies; (v) little technical and financial support; (vi) gender inequality; and (vii) lack of further research on the subject by institutions on the African continent itself. This review intends to provide subsidies in the search for the resolution of these problems, aiming to guarantee the sustainability of African agriculture for future generations. Maintaining biodiversity associated with more sustainable and healthy food systems will result in greater food security in Africa.