There is evidence to show that broad-based
agricultural development is an effective
means of reducing poverty and accelerating
economic growth (FAO/World Bank, 2001).
Dealing with poverty and hunger in much
of the developing world means optimising
the potential opportunities that agriculture
holds for the majority of the poor.
Agriculture remains a key driving force for
economic development in the Southern
Africa Development Community (SADC)
– a region in which most inhabitants rely
on agriculture directly or indirectly as their
main source of livelihood. It remains the
primary source of subsistence, employment
and income for 61%, or 142 million of the
region’s total population of 232 million.
Agriculture accounts for close to 8% of
the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Despite the importance of the sector in
SADC’s economy, agricultural growth rates
have been both low and highly variable
across the region, averaging only 2.6%
per annum in the last decade (Figure 1).
Average growth rates in the sector have
been almost similar to demographic growth
rates of 2.4% over the same period (World
Bank, 2006).