Publication: Agribusiness and Innovation Systems in Africa
Date
2009
ISSN
Published
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
The role of agriculture in sustainable
development and poverty reduction for the vast majority of
developing countries cannot be overemphasized. Forty-five
percent of the developing world's population lives in
households involved in agriculture, and twenty-seven percent
in smallholder households, and most depend on agriculture
for their livelihoods. The agricultural sector generates on
average twenty-nine percent of gross domestic product (GDP),
employs sixty-five percent of the labor force in
agriculture-based countries, and is a key to generating
overall growth. This book attempts to address these
questions and challenges, by examining how agricultural
innovation arises in four African countries, Ghana, Kenya,
Tanzania, and Uganda, through agribusiness, public policies,
and specific value chains for food staples, high value
products, and livestock. Determinants of innovation are not
viewed individually but within the context of a complex
agricultural innovation system (AIS) involving many actors
and interactions. The country reports are based on
qualitative interviews with agribusiness representatives
about their experiences in this area. The synthesis chapter
preceding the country reports presents the main findings of
the country reports, links common themes, and distills
lessons learned.
Citation
“Larsen, Kurt; Kim, Ronald; Theus, Florian. 2009. Agribusiness and Innovation Systems
in Africa. Agriculture and Rural Development. © World Bank. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/8804e270-6f8c-5ffe-ba71-9be1487aacf3 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”