Agricultural Growth Trends In Southern Africa

Author: Pius Chilonda and Isaac Minde

Year: 2007

Category: Corporate Reports

Abstract

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).

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