Better small-scale farming is key to economic growth

Visiting Singapore for the International Fertiliser Association (IFA) conference, I couldn’t help but be inspired by this wealthy city state: in a matter of decades it progressed from being impoverished and underdeveloped to being one of the world’s most prosperous nations.

It’s a journey that holds many lessons for Africa, a journey the continent has started, but must accelerate if we are to reach our full potential.

In the 1950s, hunger, the threat of famine, and rampant poverty characterised many Asian countries. GDP per capita was less than $100 in virtually all countries in the region. Six decades later, while these countries are clearly at different stages of economic development, the spectre of famine has receded, with most Asian countries having achieved food security, improved development, and made massive reductions in poverty. Some, like Singapore, have long since reached developed country status.

What was famous at the time, but is less apparent today, is how transforming their agriculture and food systems was an integral part of Asia’s economic development. This was the so-called “green revolution” — when improvements to crop varieties planted, mechanisation, fertiliser, irrigation and other modern farming practices massively increased crop yields. What this demonstrates is that within a few generations you can conquer mass food insecurity and enable more farmers to generate commercial surpluses, which can ultimately lead to greater development. We have learnt a lot since then about how to increase yields more sustainably.

It is why what we do in the fertiliser business matters: there is no empowerment, no development, when people are hungry. As the International Food Policy Research Institute put it some years back: “Food security brings economic growth — not the other way around.” Let’s also think of who is disproportionately affected by this dynamic. According to an Oxfam report, small-scale farmers, 70% of whom are women, are responsible for about 90% of the food produced in some African countries. This rings true for what I see in our own markets.

Better plant varieties, fertilisers, irrigation, farming practices, processing and logistics can bring a 'green revolution' to Africa as it did to Asia

The point I discussed with industry colleagues at the Singapore conference was that women are central to Africa’s food security. In Sub-Saharan Africa they are at the centre of small farming and food production. If you make a difference to agriculture — and fertiliser is one input that does this — you make a difference to millions of women and everyone who relies on them.

Research bears this out. In 2023 the Food and Agriculture Organisation, report "The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems", shows that increasing women’s empowerment and gender equality in these systems has the knock-on effect of enhancing women’s wellbeing and the wellbeing of their households, creating opportunities for economic growth, greater incomes, productivity and resilience. The World Bank estimates that by improving women’s access to fertilisers we can potentially feed an additional 150-million people and help raise total agricultural output in developing countries by 2.5-4%.

So I believe we should talk more about how successful farming is a key to empowering all farmers, but especially women, on the continent; how better plant varieties, fertilisers, irrigation, farming practices, processing and logistics can bring a “green revolution” to Africa as it did to Asia. I see this at Omnia because that’s what our products aim to do — provide farmers with a total crop management process that increases yield, reduces risk, and increases the farmer’s return on investment. To develop agriculture properly you can’t just drop off a bag of fertiliser and leave — you need a systemic approach.

Food security frees women — and indeed, everyone — to gain an education and ultimately the opportunity to pursue any career, whether in agriculture or not. I think it is fair to say, that in many Asian countries, it is the children and grandchildren of those successful women farmers who now have the opportunity to succeed in business and government. And here, my industry has a different role to play. When I looked around at my colleagues in Singapore, I saw an industry of top leadership that was overwhelmingly male. Uncomfortably so. This needs to change.

So what can the industry do to become more diverse and inclusive. Right now, men in the industry — and this is a global phenomenon — dominate the top layer of companies. We need to create a pipeline of talented women. We need to deliberately seek out and sponsor this — it is the right thing to do.

Alzbeta Klein, CEO of IFA, emphasises that agriculture is the largest employment sector for 80% of women in the world’s least developed countries. However, she highlights a stark contrast: women have access to only a fraction of the land, labour, credit, inputs such as fertilisers, agricultural training, information, and technology compared to men. This underscores the importance of ensuring equitable access to fertilisers, technology, and innovation for women farmers — especially smallholders — in developing countries. Klein calls on policymakers and planners globally to prioritise gender-sensitive strategies to achieve this objective.

Corporate cultures must change too; consciously so. Some simple strategies include creating a pipeline of future leaders from talented existing female staff members. Develop people, give them opportunities for advancement; and crucially make sure they have mentors and allies. Ensure that women have a voice. Implement female-friendly policies that help women to stay on track with their career goals.

We are of the strong belief that the fertiliser industry’s impact extends beyond its immediate products. It contributes to food security, education, career opportunities a significant economic growth. By bridging agricultural knowledge with tertiary education, we empower individuals to thrive both in the field and in corporate settings. That is why what we do in the fertiliser industry has meaning beyond chemicals and sales.

• Gobalsamy is group CEO of Omnia