A Systematic Review on the Role of Agrivoltaics in Enhancing Crop Productivity, Livelihoods, and Land-Use Efficiency Within Smallholder Farming Systems in Africa

Abstract

The dual utilization of land for agriculture and energy production is known as agrivoltaic systems. Studies have shown that these systems have the potential to address land-use competition between agriculture and energy systems. This study analyzed systematically available evidence on agrivolaic systems impact on livelihood, land-use efficiency, and crop productivity and the implication for smallholder farmers in Africa. The review utilized a structured methodology to analyze relevant peer-reviewed literature. The review found that agrivoltaics systems create can improve crop production by reducing heat stress, improving soil moisture, and reducing evapotranspiration. Additionally, the evidence reviewed showed that agrivoltaics could improve land-use efficiency by enabling dual land use. Land can be used to generate green energy without inhibiting agriculture. Also, the evidence synthesized showed that agrivoltaics had the potential to improve the livelihoods of the farmers. The agrivoltaics systems enhance energy access, improve adaptation to unfavorable climatic conditions like arid and semi-arid conditions, and allow diversification of income by the farmers. However, it was noted that the results of the selected studies were context-specific. The agrivoltaics system supports particular crops. In addition, the design of the system and environmental factor of the site of interest determines the outcome. Because of these aspects, it was challenging to compare the results of the included studies and generalize the findings of the studies. Though the agrivoltaic systems demonstrated the ability to generate various benefits, the review identified various gaps in the adoptions of the system. There are limited empirical studies providing evidence on the impact of agrivoltaics on crop productivity, land-use efficiency, and livelihoods among smallholder farmers in Africa. Additionally, there was little evidence on the long-term assessment of the impact of agrivoltaics. Many studies undertook short-term experiments. Also, some socio-economic aspects, such as gender, equity, and land tenure, were not featured in the studies that were included in the review. There, the impact of the system on these factors is not known. Finally, the variability in the methodologies that were utilized in the included studies inhibited generalization of findings. The review concluded that the widespread adoption of the agrivoltaic systems by smallholder farmers is possible if relevant policies are put in place, incentives are introduced in the agricultural and energy sectors, and financial and technical skills are availed to the smallholder farmers. There is also a need for more research to be undertaken in Africa to determine the impact of agrivoltaics systems on soil water balance, crop productivity, and optimal system design configuration to encourage investment by smallholder farmers. Studies should focus on field-based experiments.