Yield gap analysis towards meeting future rice demand

Kazuki Saito, Pepijn van Oort, Ibnou Dieng, Jean-Martial Johnson, Abibou Niang, Kokou Ahouanton, Amakoe Delali Alognon, Atsuko Tanaka, Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Elke Vandamme, Cyriaque Akakpo, Zacharie Segda, Ibrahim Bassoro, Delphine Mapiemfu Lamare, Moundibaye D. Allarangaye, Henri Gbakatchetche, Belay A. Bayuh, Fam

• Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9781838792503
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Sustainable Agriculture
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Rice provides 20% of the world’s food energy, and increased rice production owing to growing demand needs to be derived mainly from existing agricultural land. This requires reducing the ‘yield gap’, which is defined as the difference between potential yield and average on-farm yield obtained by farmers.

In this chapter, we provide case studies of yield gap analyses using different benchmarks (potential yield, experimental yield and best farmers’ yield) for estimating yield gaps. We start with studies focusing on the quantification of yield gaps and then describe studies with a focus on identification of the causes of yield gaps. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges to achieving better quantification of yield gaps and their causes, and the implications of yield gap studies for sustainable agricultural development to meet future rice demand.

Table of contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Studies on quantification of yield gaps
• 3 Studies to identify causes of yield gaps
• 4 Future trends and conclusion
• 5 Where to look for further information
• 6 References