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Priorities and Preconditions for Successful Investment in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

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  • Poulton, Colin
  • Dorward, Andrew
  • Jowett, A.
  • Peacock, C.
  • Urey, Ian

Abstract

In the past couple of years, there has been resurgence in interest in smallholder agriculture as a potential driver for growth and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there remains considerable skepticism as to whether public investment in smallholder agriculture will lead to the desired growth and poverty reduction, given a general pessimism about "absorptive capacity" for (public) investment in Africa, the perception of failure of past agricultural investment and the observation that current conditions are unconducive to agricultural growth in Africa. This paper combines experiences of two UK-based NGOs dedicated to promoting smallholder agriculture and strengthening rural livelihoods in Africa with insights from academic literature on African agriculture and rural markets to set out an agenda for investment in smallholder agriculture in Africa. It identifies priorities for public investment, but also key issues related to "absorptive capacity" that need to be addressed if such investment is to succeed in generating agricultural growth and poverty reduction. Particular emphasis is placed on: a) investment in human and organisational capacity of smallholder farmers; b) investment in coordinated service provision to equip producers to respond to evolving market opportunities; c) the process of developing and implementing credible agricultural development strategies at both national and local level, and; d) reform of Ministries of Agriculture to support this process.

Suggested Citation

  • Poulton, Colin & Dorward, Andrew & Jowett, A. & Peacock, C. & Urey, Ian, 2004. "Priorities and Preconditions for Successful Investment in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa," 2004 Inaugural Symposium, December 6-8, 2004, Nairobi, Kenya 9516, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaaeke:9516
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.9516
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jayne, T. S. & Yamano, Takashi & Weber, Michael T. & Tschirley, David & Benfica, Rui & Chapoto, Antony & Zulu, Ballard, 2003. "Smallholder income and land distribution in Africa: implications for poverty reduction strategies," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 253-275, June.
    2. Marcel Fafchamps, 2004. "Market Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Theory and Evidence," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262062364, December.
    3. Jayne, Thomas S. & Rubey, Lawrence & Tschirley, David L. & Mukumbu, Mulinge & Chisvo, Munhamo & Santos, Ana Paula & Weber, Michael T. & Diskin, Patrick K., 1995. "Effects of Market Reform on Access to Food by Low-Income Households: Evidence from Four Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa," Food Security International Development Papers 54052, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    4. Thirtle, Colin & Lin, Lin & Piesse, Jenifer, 2003. "The Impact of Research-Led Agricultural Productivity Growth on Poverty Reduction in Africa, Asia and Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1959-1975, December.
    5. repec:bla:devpol:v:21:y:2003:i:2:p:131-159 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Takamasa Akiyama & John Baffes & Donald Larson & Panos Varangis, 2001. "Commodity Market Reforms : Lessons of Two Decades," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13852.
    7. Owens, Trudy & Hoddinott, John & Kinsey, Bill, 2003. "The Impact of Agricultural Extension on Farm Production in Resettlement Areas of Zimbabwe," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 51(2), pages 337-57, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Konlambigue, Abdou, 2008. "Financing agricultural inputs in Northern Togo through an inventory credit system: an economic analysis of institutional response," 2007 Second International Conference, August 20-22, 2007, Accra, Ghana 52100, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).

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