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A comparative political economic analysis of maize sector policies in eastern and southern Africa

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  • Sitko, Nicholas J.
  • Chamberlin, Jordan
  • Cunguara, Benedito
  • Muyanga, Milu
  • Mangisoni, Julius

Abstract

Maize sector policies in eastern and southern Africa are characterized by a large and often growing presence of the state. Yet the scope, scale, and modalities of state activities vary substantially across countries. Drawing on data from Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, and Mozambique this article compares the relative degree of state intervention in the maize sector. We show that relative preferences for output market subsidies, input market subsidies, trade restrictions, or non-interventionist approaches reflect the interplay of interest group lobbying, patronage networks, and ethnic and regional political affiliations. These relationships have deep historical roots and have often been intensified in the context of the emergence of multiparty politics. We show that interventionist orientations in output markets and trade do not translate into better performance or welfare outcomes. Input subsidy preferences produce more ambiguous welfare results, when the opportunity costs are not fully accounted for.

Suggested Citation

  • Sitko, Nicholas J. & Chamberlin, Jordan & Cunguara, Benedito & Muyanga, Milu & Mangisoni, Julius, 2017. "A comparative political economic analysis of maize sector policies in eastern and southern Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 243-255.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:69:y:2017:i:c:p:243-255
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2017.04.010
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    3. Odhiambo Alphonce Kasera & Phennie Morghan Osure & Bruno Charles Oloo & Owili Mathews Odhiambo & Francis Odhiambo Salu & Hemolike Omondi Oguna, 2024. "Disambiguating Maize Policy Failure in Kenya, 2013 – 2024: A Political Economy Perspective," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(7), pages 2581-2601, July.
    4. Hinkel, Niklas, 2022. "More Biofuel = More Food?," EWI Working Papers 2022-2, Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI).
    5. Schoneveld, George C. & Weng, Xiaoxue, 2023. "Smallholder value creation in agrifood chains: Value network approach," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    6. Romy Santpoort, 2020. "The Drivers of Maize Area Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa. How Policies to Boost Maize Production Overlook the Interests of Smallholder Farmers," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, February.
    7. Zahra Naoar Masih, 2017. "Causality between Defence Spending and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence on a Controversial Empirical Issue," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 7(5), pages 169-177.
    8. Fredrick Ajwang & Saurabh Arora & Joanes Atela & Joel Onyango & Mohammad Kyari, 2023. "Enabling modernisation, marginalising alternatives? Kenya's agricultural policy and smallholders," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(1), pages 3-20, January.
    9. Maggio, Giuseppe & Sitko, Nicholas, 2019. "Knowing is half the battle: Seasonal forecasts, adaptive cropping systems, and the mediating role of private markets in Zambia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    10. Winnie Fung & Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool‐Tasie & Nicole M. Mason & Ruth Uwaifo Oyelere, 2020. "Do crop purchase programs improve smallholder welfare? The case of Zambia's Food Reserve Agency," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(4), pages 519-533, July.

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