Fostering inclusive outcomes in sub-Saharan African agriculture: improving agricultural productivity and expanding agribusiness opportunities
2016
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TitleFostering inclusive outcomes in sub-Saharan African agriculture: improving agricultural productivity and expanding agribusiness opportunities
AccessEnglish: 2d3fa83e-a8f5-4aa3-8c61-02f39e0b6589 - PDF ;
Summary
Despite strong per capita income growth, the structure of sub-Saharan Africa’s economies
has not changed markedly in recent decades. In spite of a rapidly growing labour force and
urbanizing populations, employment growth in rural areas in general and in non-farm
sectors in particular has been slow, and poverty levels in those areas remain relatively higher
than in urban areas. So, the key question is: how to catalyse economic transformations
that foster inclusive and sustainable development? This is where the role of agriculture is
key, given that the overwhelming majority of the population across the continent depends
on it as a livelihood source. The case for increasing agricultural productivity to accelerate
transformation, investment and industrialization is strongly supported by well-established
conceptual frameworks and historical empirical evidence. Though recent gains have been
encouraging, agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa still lags behind other regions.
The relatively low productivity has led to a loss of competitiveness in agricultural exports and
the declining share of the region’s participation in global agricultural trade. Nonetheless, the
potential of building on recent gains and developing an agribusiness sector that is responsive
to and benefits from the work of smallholder farmers is enormous. This requires the
prioritization of two main areas for policy and investment: (i) supporting the emergence of a
modern agro‑industrial sector; and (ii) developing the potential of smallholders to engage in
high-value activities across agricultural value chains.
AuthorsBenfica, R.
Suttie, D.
Suttie, D.
Series
DateRome, Italy: IFAD, 2016
Description
27 pp.
ISBN / ISSN
9789290726623
CollectionsResource Type > Documents and Publications > Publications