Ghana and Senegal’s Blueprint for Sustainable Agricultural Growth in Africa

For years, agriculture in West and Central Africa has grown mainly by expanding farmland. Farmers cleared more land to grow more crops, but yields per hectare often remained low. This approach increased output but did little to transform rural incomes or improve efficiency.

A new World Bank study, using data from FAOSTAT and the United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, shows that this pattern is beginning to change in at least two countries. Between 2001 and 2023, Ghana and Senegal achieved strong productivity gains that set them apart from their regional peers. Instead of relying mostly on more land, they focused on producing more from the same land.

From More Land to More Output

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural output has grown by about 3 to 4 percent a year over the past two decades. However, most of that growth came from cultivating more land rather than increasing yields.

Ghana and Senegal tell a different story. In both countries, crop yields more than doubled over the study period. In Ghana, cereal yields rose from just over 1.3 tons per hectare in the early 2000s to nearly 2.5 tons per hectare by 2021 to 2023. In Senegal, cereal yields climbed from below 1 ton to nearly 2 tons per hectare.

The key difference is that most of this growth came from higher productivity, not land expansion. Farmers were getting more output from each hectare. This shift matters because land is limited. Improving yields is a more sustainable way to grow agriculture, especially as populations rise.

Smart Policies Made the Difference

Behind these gains were years of reforms and steady investment.

In Ghana, major economic reforms began in the 1980s. Markets were liberalized, exchange rates adjusted, and agricultural institutions restructured. Farmers received better prices for their crops, especially cocoa. Trade and banking reforms improved access to credit. Public investment in rural roads made it easier for farmers to reach markets. Research and extension services helped spread improved crop varieties and better farming methods.

Senegal followed a similar path. It reformed its groundnut sector by ending state monopolies and allowing private companies to participate. The country diversified into fruits and vegetables for export, especially to European markets. Policies allowed private firms to lease land and access irrigation water. At the same time, public programs supported improved seeds, fertilizer use, storage, and feeder roads.

Both countries maintained relative political and macroeconomic stability. This stability encouraged private investment and reduced uncertainty for farmers and agribusinesses.

Investment in Farmers and Infrastructure

The study highlights several practical factors that supported productivity growth.

Ghana and Senegal invested more in agricultural research and development than many of their neighbors. They built denser road networks, expanded rural electrification, and improved mobile phone coverage. Better roads reduced transport costs. Electricity supported storage and processing. Mobile phones gave farmers access to market information.

Access to financial services also improved sharply. A large share of adults in both countries now have bank accounts or mobile money accounts. This makes it easier to save, borrow, and invest in new technologies.

Farmers adopted improved crop varieties at higher rates than the regional average. Fertilizer use increased. Agricultural capital per worker rose, suggesting more mechanization. Even though irrigation remains limited, many productivity gains occurred under rainfed conditions. Better seeds and management practices played a major role.

Growth That Reached Beyond One Crop

Another important finding is that progress was broad-based.

In Ghana, productivity gains were seen not only in cocoa but also in cassava, maize, rice, and horticulture. Growth spread across both the forest zone and the poorer savanna regions. In Senegal, improvements occurred in groundnuts, rice, millet, vegetables, poultry, and dairy. Productivity gains extended across sub-humid and semi-arid zones.

This broad growth is important for poverty reduction. When many farmers benefit, rural incomes rise more widely. Higher farm incomes can stimulate local businesses and improve food security.

The wider region still faces challenges. Many countries continue to rely heavily on expanding farmland, and productivity growth remains uneven. But the experiences of Ghana and Senegal show that change is possible. With stable policies, targeted public investment, and support for private enterprise, agriculture in West Africa can move from land-driven growth to productivity-led transformation.