AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION GROWTH IN THE SADC REGION: AN ANALYSIS OF INFLUENCING FACTORS / LANDBOUPRODUKSIEGROEI IN DIE SADC-STREEK: 'N ONTLEDING VAN BEINVLOEDENDE FAKTORE

Abstract

In the past two decades, the performance of agricultural production within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was characterized by sluggish growth rates. Cross-sectional time-series data of 1974 to 1990 were used to examine the factors that determine total agricultural and food production growth in the region. The results show that agricultural workers, cropped land, fertilizer and use of tractors had significant effects on the regional total agricultural and food production growth. These factors together accounted for between 37 and 41% of the total variation in food and agricultural production growth. This suggests that other variables, not included in the models due to data problems do play a very crucial role. These findings have important implications for improving food and agricultural performance in the region. In promoting food and agricultural growth, SADC governments should not only concentrate on improvements in the productivity of the four conventional factors of production, als...