Its a rare African Government that can ignore the fact its population (and electorate) is made up of small growers. Without something to drive industrialization urbanization equates to political risk. These two factors combine to require that Agriculture policy starts with the present status quo - small holders - and takes a developmental and transformative track rather than radically shifting to a commercial or even corporate model. This framework will allow the time needed for land tenure reform, and new appropriate models of small scale finance. Concurrently implementing technical change is important but should not be expected to have the revolutionary results seen in India. What is required in most African situations is a better understanding of, and plans to address, ineffective market mechanisms. The ubiquity and vagueness of plans to support "market links" is a serious weakness at present. This is where revolutions can pay dividends. Incentives to restructure how can get to the farm gate. Clear delineation of what governments will do and where investment is needed. Once those markets start to turn growth will become organic and the sector will adjust naturally. With the right strategies in place Small Holder Agriculture is not only the the best choice vis a vis commercial its THE crucial platform for National Agendas.
Its a rare African Government that can ignore the fact its population (and electorate) is made up of small growers. Without something to drive industrialization urbanization equates to political risk. These two factors combine to require that Agriculture policy starts with the present status quo - small holders - and takes a developmental and transformative track rather than radically shifting to a commercial or even corporate model. This framework will allow the time needed for land tenure reform, and new appropriate models of small scale finance. Concurrently implementing technical change is important but should not be expected to have the revolutionary results seen in India. What is required in most African situations is a better understanding of, and plans to address, ineffective market mechanisms. The ubiquity and vagueness of plans to support "market links" is a serious weakness at present. This is where revolutions can pay dividends. Incentives to restructure how can get to the farm gate. Clear delineation of what governments will do and where investment is needed. Once those markets start to turn growth will become organic and the sector will adjust naturally. With the right strategies in place Small Holder Agriculture is not only the the best choice vis a vis commercial its THE crucial platform for National Agendas.