THE SOLUTION

Because of significant climate, soil and rainfall variation across the subcontinent, one cannot prescribe a single program of farm- and ecosystem-management practices to all of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for achieving moderately high crop yields. Therefore, the book examines these variations at a macro level, and delineates the subcontinent into six agroclimatic zones.

Ultimately, real progress toward sustainable increases in food production will be achieved only when SSA governments, other interested parties, and farmers systematically (1) adopt widespread science-based farming; (2) stop or reduce the cultivation of poor-quality land and ecosystem degradation; (3) address the need for pertinent educational curricula; (4) promote the development of multi-sector economic systems and the development of small and medium private businesses in the rural countryside; (5) develop infrastructure in the rural countryside; and (6) take responsible actions to reduce rapid population growth and dependence on outside food donations. To fully implement the methods presented in the book, SSA countries should be prepared to create rural development authorities that are charged with implementing programs to foster the adoptions of the practices. 

One of the most important building blocks pivotal to the success of SSA countries to achieving and moving beyond food security is an update to the present educational system and school curriculum, which were instituted during the colonial era. Those curriculums were designed to produce a workforce to serve advanced industry economies like Europe, and not the agrarian society of SSA countries. Most of the region's curriculums should be reformed to reflect the needs off SSA society's present stage of development, and to gradually enable the transformation from poverty into a higher standard of living. 

In order to achieve sustainable food security and eliminate extreme poverty, there needs to be economic growth in the rural areas of SSA countries where the majority of the population lives. The livelihood of the rural population is dependent on the agricultural sector of the economy. Reforming the present archaic subsistence farming practices by switching to science based agricultural methods is expected to increase crop yields, resulting in surplus food production. The fastest and most efficient way to eliminate poverty and improve economic growth is the achievement of surplus agriculture production. Accomplishing this enables SSA countries to develop the non-agricultural sectors of the economy including those of service, light manufacturing, construction, and others. However, unless rapid population growth and environmental degradation are addressed, there won't be progress. Development plans designed to achieve food security can be realized only if the plans are accompanied by adequately articulated and implementable activities that focus on the entire evolution of the process. 

In the area of Zoba Maekel, located in the Central Highlands of Eritrea, hundreds of small rural farmers have joined the crop yield enhancement programs by introducing farm practices that closely resemble those presented in the book. It was determined that wheat yields grew from 1 ton per hectare to 2-5 tons per hectare.