Africa: Topics of Agricultural Development

Abstract

In recent decades, the African segment of world agricultural development has required increasing attention from both national governments and the international community. The challenges faced by African countries in the agricultural sphere are numerous and interrelated, making them much more difficult to address. First of all, such issues as the optimization of agricultural production, investment in the most promising from the point of view of the productivity sectors of the industry and introduction of specialized computer programs into agricultural practice require a speedy solution. The use of chemical fertilizers and GM crops play an important role in achieving high yields. All these factors are designed to mitigate and, in the future, to eliminate such phenomena characteristic of African societies as hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Issues of agricultural development in Africa constitute the focus of authoritative international organizations, which offer various options for leading the industry out of the crisis. However, nowadays a significant part of African countries do not have the necessary material and technical means to control the increasing risks associated with agricultural production. The most serious obstacles to progress are the lack of state funding of the industry, the lack of private direct investment, the primitive ways of cultivating land on most farms, the lack of modern technology, quality seeds and fertilizers, and imperfect national legislation. The most difficult task of the overall agricultural development strategy is to transform the sector from a subsistence-oriented one into an economically competitive industry. This task involves the introduction of technologies aimed at restoring and preserving soil fertility; providing the necessary water supply and irrigation; increasing arable land; access to credit. Important factors for the successful development of agriculture are the renewal or revision of existing land legislation, as well as training and the creation of farmers’ unions, the promotion of innovation, pricing policy and institution-building in public organizations.