What Is The Yield Gap?

The yield gap highlights the unrealised yield potential that could be achieved with improved crop management and production practices, such as efficient water management, balanced nutrient use, crop rotation and precision agriculture.

by Prince Asiedu

Introduction

In an era marked by the pressing challenges of climate change, a rapidly growing global population, and escalating food insecurity, food systems face immense pressure to meet the rising demand for quality food. The yield gap, a critical concept in production performance and food security analysis, is defined as [1] “the difference between current farm yield and potential yield when crops are grown with optimal nutrient supply and protection against pests.”  

This gap underscores the inefficiencies and constraints in current production practices, exacerbated by factors such as unbalanced land sharing and sparing systems, biodiversity loss, inherent livelihood inequalities and vulnerability, and the adverse impacts of climate change. Understanding and addressing crop performance lags through yield gap analysis is paramount to enhancing crop production performance.This drives the identification and utilization of sustainable intensification prospects that enhance food systems transformation [2]. 

Difference Between Current Yield and Potential Yield

Current Yield (Farm Yield, FY): Current yield, also referred to as farm yield (FY), represents the average yield obtained by farmers under actual field conditions. This yield is influenced by various factors, including suboptimal farm management and agronomic practices, pests, diseases, and other environmental stresses [2, 3]. 

Potential Yield (PY): Potential yield (PY) is the maximum yield that could be achieved with the best possible management practices, optimal agronomic inputs, and the absence of biotic and abiotic stresses. It is often determined through well-managed field experiments and crop models that simulate ideal growing conditions. For rainfed conditions, the term water-limited potential yield (PYw) is used, which accounts for the best possible yield given the water available from rainfall and soil moisture [2, 3]. 

How Closing the Yield Gap Could Increase Crop Production

Closing the yield gap can significantly increase crop production by enabling farmers to achieve yields closer to the potential yield, which is the maximum possible under optimal conditions. This can be accomplished through the adoption of improved agronomic practices, such as optimized planting techniques, precise use of fertilizers, and enhanced pest and disease management [2, 3, 4].

Additionally, the use of high-yield crop varieties and efficient water management practices, including advanced irrigation systems and soil moisture conservation, play crucial roles. Soil fertility management through balanced fertilization and organic amendments also contributes to healthier, more productive soils [2, 3]. By sustainably implementing these on-farm strategies, farmers can substantially boost their crop output without expanding agricultural land, thus meeting rising food demands sustainably and enhancing overall food security [4].

How This Can Help Countries Reach Food Self-sufficiency Levels

The yield gap highlights the unrealized yield potential that could be achieved with improved crop management and production practices [2, 5]. Increasing crop production by closing the yield gap can significantly help countries achieve food self-sufficiency and sovereignty. By enhancing food security through higher yields, more food becomes available for the population, which reduces the need for food imports and lowers the risks of household food insecurity. This not only bolsters the economy but also improves farmer incomes and reduces poverty. Moreover, adopting transformative and sustainable intensification practices contributes to the more sustainable use of productive resources, ensuring their preservation for future generations [4]. 

References:

[1]  Global Yield Gap Atlas. URL: https://ccafs.cgiar.org/resources/tools/global-yield-gap-atlas (Accessed on 09.07.2024)
[2]  Van Ittersum, M. K., Cassman, K. G., Grassini, P., Wolf, J., Tittonell, P., & Hochman, Z. (2013). Yield gap analysis with local to global relevance—A review. Field Crops Research, 143, 4-17. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2012.09.009 (Accessed on 09.07.2024)
[3]  Fischer, R. (2015). Definitions and determination of crop yield, yield gaps, and of rates of change. Field Crops Research, 182, 9-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2014.12.006
[4]  Zhang, W., Cao, G., Li, X., Zhang, H., Wang, C., Liu, Q., … & Dou, Z. (2016). Closing yield gaps in China by empowering smallholder farmers. Nature, 537(7622), 671-674. URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature19368 (Accessed on 09.07.2024)
[5]  Van Tran, D. (2001). Closing the rice yield gap for food security. The New Development in Rice Agronomy and Its Effects on Yield and Quality in Mediterranean Areas, 2-12. URL: http://om.ciheam.org/article.php?IDPDF=3400070  (Accessed on 09.07.2024)