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Why agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa remains low compared to the rest of the world – a historical perspective

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  • Vibeke Bjornlund
  • Henning Bjornlund
  • Andre F. Van Rooyen

Abstract

Agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa has, in recent times, remained lower than the rest of the world. Many attribute this to factors inherent to Africa and its people, such as climate, soil quality, slavery and disease. This article traces the role of agriculture through history and argues that these are not the main reasons. Before the arrival of European traders, complex agricultural systems existed, which supported food security, manufacturing and trade. External interference manipulated these systems in pursuit of export crops. Independence has not fundamentally changed this; resource and wealth extraction continue to inhibit economic development for Africans in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Vibeke Bjornlund & Henning Bjornlund & Andre F. Van Rooyen, 2020. "Why agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa remains low compared to the rest of the world – a historical perspective," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(S1), pages 20-53, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cijwxx:v:36:y:2020:i:s1:p:s20-s53
    DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2020.1739512
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdulazeez Hudu Wudil & Muhammad Usman & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & Ladislav Pilař & Mortala Boye, 2022. "Reversing Years for Global Food Security: A Review of the Food Security Situation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Bridget Bwalya & Edward Mutandwa & Brian Chanda Chiluba, 2023. "Awareness and Use of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Smallholder Farming Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Novotny, Ivan P. & Boul Lefeuvre, Nastasia & Attiogbé, Koffi S. & Wouyo, Atakpama & Fousseni, Folega & Dray, Anne & Waeber, Patrick O., 2024. "Exploring farmer choices in Southern Togo: Utilizing a strategy game to understand decision-making in agricultural practices," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    4. Vengai Mbanyele & Florence Mtambanengwe & Hatirarami Nezomba & Jairos Rurinda & Paul Mapfumo, 2022. "Conservation Agriculture in Semi-Arid Zimbabwe: A Promising Practice to Improve Finger Millet ( Eleusine coracana Gaertn.) Productivity and Soil Water Availability in the Short Term," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Dele Raheem & Oluwatoyin B. Oluwole & Leena Faven & Frank A. Orji & Mikko Junttila & Egidija Rainosalo & Sulaimon B. Kosoko & Adeola Olukosi & Seppo Vainio & Abiodun A. Olapade & Michael P. Okoh & Oye, 2022. "Partnership for International Development: Finland-Nigeria Conference on Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-19, March.
    6. Tarirai Muoni & Blessing Mhlanga & Ingrid Öborn & Christian Thierfelder, 2024. "Management of maize-legume conservation agriculture systems rather than varietal choice fosters human nutrition in Malawi," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 16(5), pages 1067-1080, October.
    7. Adam J. M. Devenish & Petra Schmitter & Nugun. P. Jellason & Nafeesa Esmail & Nur M. Abdi & Selase K. Adanu & Barbara Adolph & Maha Al-Zu’bi & Amali A. Amali & Jennie Barron & Abbie S. A. Chapman & Al, 2023. "One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    8. Ndekwa, Alberto Gabriel & Kalugendo, Elizeus & Sood, Kiran & Grima, Simon, 2023. "An Analysis of Agribusiness Digitalisation Transformation of the Sub-Saharan African Countries Small-Scale Farmers' Production Distribution," Research on World Agricultural Economy, Nan Yang Academy of Sciences Pte Ltd (NASS), vol. 4(3), September.
    9. Enock Siankwilimba & Chisoni Mumba & Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe & Joshua Munkombwe & Jacqueline Hiddlestone-Mumford & Munyaradzi A. Dzvimbo & Md Enamul Hoque, 2024. "Bioecosystems towards sustainable agricultural extension delivery: effects of various factors," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 21801-21843, September.
    10. Mihasina Harinaivo Andrianarimanana & Pu Yongjian, 2021. "Importance of the Improvement in the Agricultural Technology of Sub-Saharan Africa on Local Economic Development and International Trade," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, February.
    11. Abdulrasheed Zakari & Jurij Toplak & Luka Martin Tomažič, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship between Energy and Food Security in Africa with Instrumental Variables Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, July.
    12. Christopher McCarthy & Yamikani Nyoni & Daud Jones Kachamba & Lumbani Benedicto Banda & Boyson Moyo & Cornelius Chisambi & James Banfill & Buho Hoshino, 2023. "Can Drones Help Smallholder Farmers Improve Agriculture Efficiencies and Reduce Food Insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa? Local Perceptions from Malawi," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, May.

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