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Agricultural policy incentives in sub-Saharan Africa in the last decade (2005–2016). Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) synthesis study

Author

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  • Pernechele, Valentina
  • Balié, Jean
  • Ghins, Léopold

Abstract

The study summarizes the results emerging from the 2017 update of the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) indicators for the 2005-2016 period for 14 sub-Saharan African countries. These indicators - comparable across commodities, countries and years - are commonly used to assess the extent of policy support in agriculture. They measure the effect of trade and market policies and inefficiencies on the degree of price incentives faced by farmers in key commodity value chains, as well as the level and composition of public expenditures in support of the agriculture sector. Despite results being very heterogeneous across countries and commodities, aggregate figures indicate that price incentives to agriculture are overall increasing across the period. Policies focused on supporting domestic production, through import tariffs and price support, are likely to be the main drivers of such a trend, following the food price crises period (2007–2011) when policy-makers were mainly concerned about consumer protection. Despite that, market inefficiencies still persist as a source of price disincentives to farmers and a major constraint on agricultural development. Consistently, public expenditure indicators confirm that direct budget transfers in support of producers, mainly in the form of input subsidies, continue to represent the largest part of agriculture expenditure in most countries. In general terms, only a few countries increased the share of agricultural expenditure within total public budgets in 2015. Expenditures on research and knowledge dissemination are overall stagnant or declining. Food crops continue to dominate public budgets while spending on cash crops or “innovative” products as well as on value chain integration and commercialization remains limited. Some efforts to convert resources that were previously allocated to input subsidies into investments in agricultural and rural infrastructures are seen.

Suggested Citation

  • Pernechele, Valentina & Balié, Jean & Ghins, Léopold, 2018. "Agricultural policy incentives in sub-Saharan Africa in the last decade (2005–2016). Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) synthesis study," FAO Agricultural Development Economics Technical Study 296658, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:faoets:296658
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.296658
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kym Anderson, 2023. "Agriculture's globalization: Endowments, technologies, tastes and policies," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 1314-1352, September.
    2. Shaun Beattie & Susannah M. Sallu, 2021. "How Does Nutrition Feature in Climate-Smart Agricultural Policy in Southern Africa? A Systematic Policy Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Lindiwe M. Sibanda & Sithembile N. Mwamakamba, 2021. "Policy Considerations for African Food Systems: Towards the United Nations 2021 Food Systems Summit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Balie, Jean & Strutt, Anna & Nelgen, Signe & Narayanan, 2018. "Infrastructure investments for improved market access in subSaharan Africa: A CGE analysis," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 13(2), June.
    5. van Berkum, Siemen, 2022. "IFAD Research Series 77: The role of trade and policies in improving food security," IFAD Research Series 321997, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
    6. Kubik, Zaneta, 2021. "Progress in Hunger Reduction in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries in 2001 – 2018: Analysis of Best Performers," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315890, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Kym Anderson, 2021. "Food policy in a more volatile climate and trade environment," Departmental Working Papers 2021-25, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.

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    Keywords

    Agricultural and Food Policy; Environmental Economics and Policy;

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