An Analysis of Africa’s Agricultural Value Chain and Lessons from Korea’s Agricultural Development Policies

Abstract

Agriculture is an integral part of Africa's economy, but Africa still faces various challenges to increasing production and adding value. The focus of this study is to analyze Africa's agricultural value chain development, review Korea's agricultural value chain development policies on a parallel, and to draw policy suggestions from the Korean experience that can be applied to the African situation. A special focus is put on the rice sector not only because it is the staple food of Korea, on which much of its agricultural policies were centered, but also because consumption of rice is increasing rapidly in Africa and calls for a detailed look into how the momentum can be utilized to increase the value of African rice. Policy suggestions include the creation of a multi-purpose agricultural cooperative, domestic production of agricultural inputs, and the establishment of one-stop post-harvest management systems, in addition to fostering social change for the active participation of producers.