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Photo of Göran Djurfeldt

Göran Djurfeldt

Professor emeritus

Photo of Göran Djurfeldt

Food Security, agricultural technology and policy – the case of maize in sub-Saharan Africa

Author

  • Göran Djurfeldt
  • Rolf Larsson

Summary, in English

This paper discusses food security and the African food crisis. By means of data from a survey of over 3000 farm households in eight sub-Saharan countries, the authors conclude that food security requires a broad integration of smallholders in the market. Subsistence orientation does not promote food security, while seed fertilizer technology does. Market integration of maize producers seems to be driven by the State, not by the market on its own. The diffusion of technology is stimulated by the market and is promoted by favourable macro policies, as reflected in policies of food import and in budget priorities.

Department/s

  • Sociology

Publishing year

2005

Language

English

Document type

Working paper

Topic

  • Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)

Keywords

  • agricultural policy
  • Africa food security
  • agricultural technology

Status

Unpublished