Strategic priorities for agricultural development in Eastern and Central Africa: a review of the institutional context and methodological approach for undertaking a quantitative, subregional assessment.

Abstract

AbstractAgricultural similarities suggest that neighbouring countries in Eastern and Central Africa might gain from cooperating in key areas of agricultural research and development (R&D). This chapter describes an agricultural development strategy study conducted jointly by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) intended to recognize and properly account for such regional potentials in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) and to articulate their broad nature and scale. First, a geographic information system (GIS) was used to characterize variation in the spatial context of agriculture in ECA. Second, a process of stakeholder dialogue was initiated with a broad range of regional and national institutions and individuals including: the regional economic development authority (COMESA), agricultural research and extension agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donors, private companies, and commodity and farmer organizations. Third, specific scenarios were evaluated using two types of economic simulation models. Overall economic growth and poverty-related scenarios were analysed using a dynamic, economy-wide model (an economy-wide, multi-market model - EMM) that encompassed both sector and agricultural sub-sector components across the entire ECA region. A second set of (commodity-specific) scenarios was analysed using a single commodity, multi-region, economic surplus model to assess the economic benefits of productivity-enhancing investments in agricultural R&D.