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How Michigan State University Became a Leader in African Agricultural Economics: A Personal Memoir

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  • Byerlee, D.

Abstract

Drawing on an extensive review of available documents and my own personal recollections, this history describes the research and capacity building activities in Africa from 1963-1978 of the then Department of Agricultural Economics (AEC) of Michigan State University. The aim is to analyze how MSU came to be a leader in food and agricultural economics related to Africa that endures today. I first review the involvement of AEC faculty in the institutional building project at the University of Nigeria in the 1960s that involved the two main protagonists of the history. First from 1965-1971, Glenn L. Johnson initiated and led large projects to analyze and plan the Nigerian agricultural sector, based on paper and pencil projections and then pioneering simulation modeling. Second, Carl K. Eicher from 1970 built an extensive program of microlevel research involving intensive household surveys mostly focused on Sierra Leone. Both had important legacies in follow-on AEC activities throughout Africa and in the agricultural development profession, more generally. I argue that Eicher ‘seized the moment’ to aggressively recruit African graduate students and others with interests in Africa that through their thesis work and later employment as AEC faculty, became the bedrock of AEC’s food security programs in Africa.

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  • Byerlee, D., 2024. "How Michigan State University Became a Leader in African Agricultural Economics: A Personal Memoir," Staff Paper Series 345227, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:midasp:345227
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.345227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert P. King & Derek Byerlee, 1978. "Factor Intensities and Locational Linkages of Rural Consumption Patterns in Sierra Leone," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 60(2), pages 197-206.
    2. Byerlee, Derek & Eicher, Carl K & Liedholm, Carl & Spencer, Dunstan S C, 1983. "Employment-Output Conflicts, Factor-Price Distortions, and Choice of Technique: Empirical Results from Sierra Leone," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 31(2), pages 315-336, January.
    3. The Michigan State University Agricultural Sector Simulation Team, 1973. "System Simulation of Agricultural Development: Some Nigerian Policy Comparisons," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 55(3), pages 404-419.
    4. Eicher, Carl K. & Baker, Doyle Curtis, 1982. "Research on Agricultural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Critical Survey," Food Security International Development Papers 54071, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    5. Johnson, Glenn L. & Okigbo, Bede N., 1989. "Institutional-Building Lessons From Usaid'S Agricultural Faculty Development Projects In Nigeria," 1989 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 270715, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    6. Anderson, Jock R., 1974. "Simulation: Methodology and Application in Agricultural Economics," Review of Marketing and Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 42(01), pages 1-53, March.
    7. Thorbecke, Erik, 1973. "Sector Analysis and Models of Agriculture in Developing Countries," Food Research Institute Studies, Stanford University, Food Research Institute, vol. 12(01), pages 1-17.
    8. Strauss, John, 1986. "Does Better Nutrition Raise Farm Productivity?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 94(2), pages 297-320, April.
    9. Stolper, Wolfgang F., 1963. "Economic Development in Nigeria," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(4), pages 391-413, December.
    10. Clifton R. Wharton, 1965. "Discussion: Strategy for Agriculture in Development," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 47(2), pages 379-383.
    11. Glenn L. Johnson & Bede N. Okigbo, 1989. "Institution-Building Lessons from USAID's Agricultural Faculty Development Projects in Nigeria," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 71(5), pages 1211-1218.
    12. Crawford, Eric & Weber, Michael T. & Staatz, John M., 2024. "Historical Milestones of AFRE International Involvement in Teaching, Research, Outreach and Capacity/Institution-Building Activities: 1933 – 2023," Staff Paper Series 344559, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
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    Keywords

    Food Security and Poverty; International Development; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies; Research Methods/ Statistical Methods; Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession;
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