The 2024 GAP Report highlights a critical decline in agricultural productivity and calls for immediate innovation and action in the agricultural sector.
With the global population expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050, the agricultural sector faces increasing pressure to meet the demand for agricultural products in a sustainable manner.
The 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report reveals that total factor productivity (TFP) growth—a key measure of agricultural sustainability—has experienced a slowdown, averaging a growth rate of 0.7 per cent annually over the past decade. Achieving an average annual 2 per cent TFP growth between 2024 and 2050 is now required to ensure that we can sustainably meet the world’s agricultural needs.
The 2024 GAP Report emphasises the need for new strategies that not only focus on research and development (R&D) but also bridge the gap between innovation and real-world adoption. This gap, often referred to as the “Valley of Death,” hinders the practical application of technological advancements and existing knowledge, practices and tools that could drive TFP growth.
Key Highlights from the 2024 GAP Report
The Role of Bundling
The report calls for a shift toward “bundling”—strategically combining production tools with distribution mechanisms, socio-economic supports and policy interventions. This approach can help overcome barriers that prevent farmers from accessing and adopting innovative technologies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Innovation and Adoption
R&D alone will not be sufficient to achieve sustainable agricultural productivity growth. Public and private sectors must work together to create delivery systems that facilitate the adoption of proven technologies at scale, accounting for the enabling environment, behavioural factors and external shocks and forces.
Leaders and Laggards in Agricultural Productivity Growth:
Leaders: South Asia has emerged as a regional leader, achieving an impressive average annual TFP growth rate of 1.4 per cent during 2013-2022. India, in particular, stands out with an average annual TFP growth rate of 1.7 per cent—driven by investments in mechanisation, ICT innovations and optimised input use.
Laggards: In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to struggle with TFP growth, recording an average annual growth rate of just 0.37 per cent during 2013-2022. Agricultural output in the region is primarily driven by land expansion and input intensification, rather than efficiency gains which poses significant risks to long-term sustainability.
Sustainable Practices for Future Growth
With the challenges of climate change, ecosystem degradation and shrinking rural labor forces, sustainable agricultural productivity growth is essential. The 2024 GAP report emphasises the importance of using precision agriculture, soil health management and integrated production systems — among other proven productivity-enhancing tools — alongside robust policy frameworks, to foster long-term resilience in the sector.
Why accelerating TFP growth matters
The global decline in TFP growth poses significant risks to economic competitiveness, rural livelihoods, food and nutrition security and environmental sustainability. Slower TFP growth can lead to increased input use, environmental degradation, and unequal economic development.
Addressing these challenges through strategic partnerships and bundled interventions will be key to driving future productivity growth and ensuring that farmers at all scales of production can thrive.