The effects of training, innovation and new technology on African smallholder farmers’ wealth and food security

This systematic review by Stewart and colleagues analyses the impact of several farming interventions on household income and food security among rural households. Included studies assess the effects of innovation and new technology interventions. Although the rigorous evidence base is limited, findings suggest positive effects of improved varieties and innovation on nutritional status, as well as increases in the monetary value of harvests and household incomes. Further, orange sweet potatoes appear to be particularly effective in improving nutrition status and food security. However, agricultural extension services do not seem to advance outcomes. More efforts are needed to support smallholder farmers and bottom-up approaches like farmer field schools to improve yields.