Agricultural sector

Why is agriculture so important to reducing poverty?

Upphovsperson:	Hårsmar, Mats
Utgivare:	Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Globalization, Trade and Regional Integration | Uppsala : Nordiska Afrikainstitutet
År:	2010
Ämnesord:	Agricultural sector, Agricultural economy, Poverty alleviation, Economic growth, Development theory, Africa South of Sahara, Asia, Business and economics, Ekonomi

Over the last few years, there has been both talk about and action regarding the long-term neglect of agriculture in development. An agricultural revival has occurred, with African governments committing themselves to spending at least 10 per cent of their budgets on agriculture. Donors such as the World Bank and many bilateral organizations are refocusing on the sector. This is partly due to the prevalence of rural poverty in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in South Asia. Despite this, the debate on the appropriate role of agriculture in economic growth lingers on among academics and policymakers. In particular, agriculture’s contribution to broader economic growth is questioned. Should growth be driven by agriculture or by something else? Recent empirical studies and earlier theoretical work demonstrate that growth in the agricultural sector has contributed more to poverty reduction than growth in non-agricultural sectors. This paper discusses this issue and highlights some of the preconditions for the achievement of this outcome.

Natural resources in sub-Saharan Africa : assets and vulnerabilities

Upphovsperson:	Holmberg, Johan
Utgivare:	Nordiska Afrikainstitutet | Uppsala : Nordiska Afrikainstitutet
År:	2008
Ämnesord:	natural resources, Climate change, Environmental effects, Agricultural sector, Sustainable development, Development strategy, Policy making, Africa South of Sahara, Sweden, SOCIAL SCIENCES, SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP

Africa is rich in oil and mineral resources, but has severe shortages of water and suffers from an accelerating pressure on its arable land and forests. Climate change is expected to cause major problems for African populations with increase of water stress and severely compromised agricultural production. Local food supplies will be negatively affected and, towards the end of the 21st century, sea-level rise will affect low-lying coastal areas. The report argues that the poorest countries are most vulnerable to climate change and that Africa is particularly exposed. Sweden should consider full integration of climate change adaptation strategies in its development cooperation with African partners. This will likely mean that some existing priorities will be further accentuated, such as needs to provide water and sanitation services to the poor, raising agricultural productivity, and curbing deforestation.

Energy for rural development in Zimbabwe

Upphovsperson:	Hosier, Richard H.
Utgivare:	Nordiska Afrikainstitutet | Uppsala : Nordiska Afrikainstitutet; The Beijer Institute
År:	1988
Ämnesord:	Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, Energy supply, Energy consumption, Agricultural sector, Household, Fuelwood, Rural development, SOCIAL SCIENCES, SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP

The studies presented in this volume were originally carried out as part of the Zimbabwe Energy Accounting Project (ZEAP). The ZEAP was a joint undertaking between the Beijer Institute of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Water and Energy Resources and Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe. This volume focuses on one of the objectives of the Project: To examine rural energy problems in general, and the woodfuel problem in particular.