Transforming Agriculture in Southern Africa PDF Download

Author: Richard A. Sikora
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429686633
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 309

View

Book Description
This book provides a synthesis of the key issues and challenges facing agriculture and food production in Southern Africa. Southern Africa is facing numerous challenges from diverse issues such as agricultural transformations, growing populations, urbanization and climate change. These challenges place great pressure on food security, agriculture, water availability and other natural resources, as well as impacting biodiversity. Drawing on case studies from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the chapters in this book consider these challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering key areas in constraints to production, the most important building blocks of good farming practices, and established and emerging technologies. This book will be a valuable support for informing new policies and processes aimed at improving food production and security and developing sustainable agriculture in Southern Africa. This informative volume will be key reading for those interested in agricultural science, African studies, rural studies, development studies and sustainability. It will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and agricultural practitioners. This title has been made available as Open Access under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CCBY-NC-ND) license and can be accessed here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780429401701

Author: Colin G. Thirtle
Publisher: MacMillan
ISBN: 9780333790281
Category : Agricultural productivity
Languages : en
Pages : 330

View

Book Description
This book examines the state of South African agriculture at the end of the 20th century and makes attempts at reform in context by looking at the past. It begins by explaining the historical process, which led to a dualistic agricultural sector, and the policy process, bought in after the reforms, that attempts to resolve the inequalities and distortions. The policy discussion draws on the main part of the book, which is an empirical investigation of the measurement and explanation of efficiency and productivity change, which depend on technologies developed by R&D.

Author: Steven Jaffee
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821344224
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 212

View

Book Description
Recent economic reforms and political changes within Southern Africa have opened up new opportunities for intra-regional agricultural trade and other forms of agribusiness collaboration. This collaboration is vital, given the relatively small size of individual country markets and the fact that no single country in the region has the resources and capacity to mount a sustained drive to achieve international market prominence and competitiveness. This study examines private sector perceptions regarding the agribusiness investment environment and the scope for regional collaboration in Southern Africa. It then presents a series of case studies highlighting experiences in such collaboration as well as additional opportunities and constraints. The case studies illustrate the varied forms that this intra-regional collaboration has or could take, including the transfer of technologies and management systems, joint logistics and international marketing, cross-border investment, product research and development, human resource development, raw material sourcing, and regional trade in inputs and consumer products. Both the agribusiness company survey and the industry case studies include recommendations for policymakers, agribusiness managers/representatives, and agricultural and private sector development practitioners.

Author: Haggblade, Steven
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN: 0801895030
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 464

View

Book Description
Sub—Saharan Africa is one of the poorest regions of the world. Because most Africans work in agriculture, escaping such dire poverty depends on increased agricultural productivity to raise rural incomes, lower food prices, and stimulate growth in other economic sectors. Per capita agricultural production in sub—Saharan Africa has fallen, however, for much of the past half—century. Successes in African Agriculture investigates how to reverse this decline. Instead of cataloging failures, as many past studies have done, this book identifies episodes of successful agricultural growth in Africa and identifies processes, practices, and policies for accelerated growth in the future. The individual studies follow developments in, among other areas, the farming of maize in East and Southern Africa, cassava across the middle belt of Africa, cotton in West Africa, horticulture in Kenya, and dairying in East Africa. Drawing on these case studies and on consultations with agricultural specialists and politicians from across sub—Saharan Africa -- undertaken in collaboration with the African Union's New Partnership for Africa's Development -- the contributors identify two key determinants of positive agricultural performance: agricultural research to provide more productive and sustainable technologies to farmers and a policy framework that fosters market incentives for increasing production. The contributors discuss how the public and private sectors can best coordinate the convergence of both factors. Given current concerns about global food security, this book provides timely and important resources to policymakers and development specialists concerned with reversing the negative trends in food insecurity and poverty in Africa.

Author: Diao, Xinshen, ed.
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN: 0896293807
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 548

View

Book Description
Agricultural mechanization in Africa south of the Sahara — especially for small farms and businesses — requires a new paradigm to meet the needs of the continent’s evolving farming systems. Can Asia, with its recent success in adopting mechanization, offer a model for Africa? An Evolving Paradigm of Agricultural Mechanization Development analyzes the experiences of eight Asian and five African countries. The authors explore crucial government roles in boosting and supporting mechanization, from import policies to promotion policies to public good policies. Potential approaches presented to facilitating mechanization in Africa include prioritizing market-led hiring services, eliminating distortions, and developing appropriate technologies for the African context. The role of agricultural mechanization within overall agricultural and rural transformation strategies in Africa is also discussed. The book’s recommendations and insights should be useful to national policymakers and the development community, who can adapt this knowledge to local contexts and use it as a foundation for further research.

Author: Abdulai Jalloh
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN: 0896292045
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 444

View

Book Description
The first of three books in IFPRI's climate change in Africa series, West African Agriculture and Climate Change: A Comprehensive Analysis examines the food security threats facing 11 of the countries that make up West Africa -- Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo -- and explores how climate change will increase the efforts needed to achieve sustainable food security throughout the region. West Africa's population is expected to grow at least through mid-century. The region will also see income growth. Both will put increased pressure on the natural resources needed to produce food, and climate change makes the challenges greater. West Africa is already experiencing rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing extreme events. Without attention to adaptation, the poor will suffer. Through the use of hundreds of scenario maps, models, figures, and detailed analysis, the editors and contributors of West African Agriculture and Climate Change present plausible future scenarios that combine economic and biophysical characteristics to explore the possible consequences for agriculture, food security, and resources management to 2050. They also offer recommendations to national governments and regional economic agencies already dealing with the vulnerabilities of climate change and deviations in environment. Decisionmakers and researchers will find West African Agriculture and Climate Change a vital tool for shaping policy and studying the various and likely consequences of climate change.

Author: Sepo Hachigonta
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN: 0896292088
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 370

View

Book Description
Southern African Agriculture and Climate Change: A Comprehensive Analysis examines the food security threats facing eight of the countries that make up southern Africa — Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe — and explores how climate change will increase the efforts needed to achieve sustainable food security throughout the region. Southern Africa’s population is expected to grow at least through mid-century. The region will also see income growth. Both will put increased pressure on the natural resources needed to produce food, and climate change makes the challenges greater. Southern Africa is already experiencing rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing extreme events. Without attention to adaptation, the poor will suffer. Through the use of hundreds of scenario maps, models, figures, and detailed analysis, the editors and contributors of Southern African Agriculture and Climate Change present plausible future scenarios that combine economic and biophysical characteristics to explore the possible consequences for agriculture, food security, and resources management to 2050. They also offer recommendations to national governments and regional economic agencies already dealing with the vulnerabilities of climate change and deviations in environment. Decisionmakers and researchers will find Southern African Agriculture and Climate Change a vital tool for shaping policy and studying the various and likely consequences of climate change.

Author: Edward Mabaya
Publisher: AFRICAN SUN MeDIA
ISBN: 1920338659
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 321

View

Book Description
'Emerging' (or 'black') farmers are often considered a homogeneous group. While individual emerging farmers and agribusinesses in South Africa share a common history, the case studies in this book show that in fact significant differences exist among them that are often hidden beneath the averaging and aggregation typical of most analytical research. Presenting fifteen case studies of emerging agribusinesses in South Africa, this book has three main objectives: (1) to capture the human stories behind the emerging farms and agribusinesses in South Africa in order to showcase their rich diversity, historical backgrounds, current context, and future directions; (2) to highlight the best practices, opportunities, and challenges facing South Africa?s emerging farmers and agribusinesses; and (3) to create a new set of instructional materials for academics and development practitioners, or as a point of reference for other entrepreneurs, members of government, and other practitioners engaged in agriculture and agribusiness. The case study format, a relatively new tool in the field of agribusiness management, allows for a close-up view of the entrepreneurs at the heart of the businesses, providing an ideal lens through which to take a snapshot of the agribusiness landscape of South Africa today.

Author: Wandile Sihlobo
Publisher: Pan Macmillan South africa
ISBN: 1770107177
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 203

View

Book Description
‘My hope is that people can grow to appreciate this sector – its challenges and opportunities, but most importantly, the role agriculture can play in improving South Africa’s rural economy, creating jobs and bringing about much-needed transformation (or inclusive growth).’ Wandile Sihlobo is perfectly positioned to provide a well-rounded, accessible view of agriculture in South Africa. He spent his school holidays in the rural Eastern Cape, studied agricultural economics at university, has worked in private-sector agriculture, consulting with farmers across the country, and has been an adviser to government as part of South African policymaking bodies. Finding Common Ground is a selection of key articles from Sihlobo’s regular Business Day column, framed with insightful commentary and context. The book covers the broad themes that have marked current discussions and outlines the challenges and opportunities faced by South Africa’s agricultural sector, including: The contentious and complex issue of land reform; The potential for new leadership to revive the sector; How agriculture can drive development and job creation; Cannabis as an exportable commodity; The urgent need for agricultural policy to address gender equity and youth involvement; Technological developments and megatrends that are underpinning agricultural development; The importance of trade in growing South Africa’s agriculture; and Key lessons that South Africa and other African countries can learn from one another. Ultimately, Sihlobo is optimistic about the future of South Africa’s agricultural sector and shows us all – from policymakers to the general public – how much common ground we truly have.

Author: Xinshen Diao
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN: 0896291952
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 442

View

Book Description
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, countries within Sub-Saharan Africa reached milestones that seemed impossible only ten years ago: macroeconomic stability, sustained economic growth, and improved governance. Continuing this pattern of success will require enhancing the region’s agricultural sector, in which a large proportion of poor people make a living. The authors of Strategies and Priorities for African Agriculture: Economywide Perspectives from Country Studies argue that, although the diversity of the region makes generalization difficult, increasing staple-crop production is more likely to reduce poverty than increasing export-crop production. This conclusion is based on case studies of ten low-income African countries that reflect varying levels of resource endowments and development stages. The authors also recommend increased, more efficient public investment in agriculture and agricultural markets and propose new directions for future research. The last ten years have been an encouraging time for one of the world’s poorest regions; this book offers an analysis of how recent, promising trends can be sustained into the future.