Reimagining crop rotation for resilient and sustainable intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa: Innovations, gaps, and scalable pathways

Abstract:

Compounding agricultural issues in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) include population pressure, land fragmentation, and climate variability, all of which endanger environmental sustainability and food security, reduce agricultural resilience, and exacerbate rural poverty. Over 90% of farming in SSA being rain-fed, the sector is vulnerable to climate variability. Despite these challenges, SSA holds potential for agricultural transformation through innovative, sustainable farming practices like agroecology, climate-smart agriculture, and organic techniques. One important but little-used tactic for boosting agroecosystem resilience and promoting sustainable intensification is crop rotation. Crop rotation has improved soil fertility, reduced pest pressures, increased yield stability, and promoted ecological balance in SSA. Crop rotation, particularly with legumes and cereals, offers benefits like improved soil health, yield stability, and dietary diversity. However, adoption is constrained by infrastructural deficiencies, policy gaps, and limited access to resources. This review summarizes the history, contemporary methods, and creative approaches to crop rotation in SSA. The integration of native crops, cover crops, crop-livestock synergies, maize-legume systems, and the use of digital and geospatial technologies to maximize rotation planning are all given particular attention. To identify adoption barriers and routes, socioeconomic enablers and institutional innovations such as farmer field schools, climate-smart villages, and public-private partnerships are analyzed. This review synthesizes crop rotation practices in SSA, highlighting innovations, challenges, and actionable frameworks for sustainably intensifying production while preserving ecological integrity. Ultimately, reimagining crop rotation in SSA is essential for achieving resilient and equitable food systems.