7 - Globalisation and Technology: Problems and Prospects for the Agricultural Sector in Africa
Corresponding Author(s) : Osita Agbu
Africa Development,
Vol. 30 No. 4 (2005): Africa Development
Abstract
This paper examines the linkage between globalisation as a phenomenon and technology as the catalyst on the state of the agricultural sector in Africa. It is observed that though agriculture is the dominant economic sector in Africa, it is currently facing a food crisis of monumental dimensions. Figures pertaining to food production growth rates and the percentage share of agriculture in total labour force are presented to highlight the poor state of this sector. Apart from the impact of globalization on the sector, the paper sought to determine the link between technological capacity and the food crisis in Africa on the one hand, and the prospects for increased technological inputs in African agriculture on the other. Fundamentally, the paper argues that Africa cannot begin to benefit from global developments in trade, technology and therefore improving the welfare of its peoples until food security is reasonably attained. It recommends the use of science-based technology generation to ensure sustainable agricultural development. African governments are called upon to balance the vicissi tudes of the multilateral framework on agriculture with their immediate national objectives. Finally, the author opines that a brighter future awaits those coun tries that can competently manage the impact of globalization on this sector, while infusing appropriate technologies to ensure food security.
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- Adubifa, A., 1990, Technology Policy in Nigeria, Ibadan, NISER.
- Agbu, A., 2001, 'The Technological Dimension of Africa's Crisis ofDevelopment:
- An Agenda for the 21st Century', Paper presented at the 13th Biennial Congress
- oftheAfricanAssociation of Political Science (AAPS), Yaounde, Cameroon, June 19-22.
- Ajayi, 1., 1992, 'Inadequate Funding: Bane of Agriculture in Africa', National Concord (Nigeria),
- October 9.
- lju, A., 1994, Industrialization and Technological Innovation in an African Economy, Akoka,
- RECTEM.
- Ake, C., 1996, Democracy and Development in Africa, Ibadan, Spectrum Books. llamgir, M. & Arora,
- P., 1991, Providing Food Security for Ali, London, IFAD. lmanor, K.S., 1999, Global Restructuring
- and Land Rights in Ghana, Research
- Report no. 108, Uppsala, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.
- Amara, H.A. and Founou-Tchuigoua, B., 1990, African Agriculture: The Critical Issues, United
- Nations, Tokyo University Press.
- Bhagavan, M.R., 1990, Technological Advance in the Third World: Strategies and Prospects, London,
- Zed Press.
- Goodman, D. and M. Redclift, 1991, Refashioning Nature: Food. ecology and culture, London and New
- York, Routledge.
- Grobbelaar, J., 1998, 'Sorne Perspectives on Small Scale Farming in SouthAfrica', JICA- FASID,
- Microeconomies and Structural Adjustment in Africa, Tokyo.
- The Guardian (Nigeria), 6 June, 2002.
- Harjinder Singh, 2000, 'African Economie Recovery: Myth or Reality', Indian Journal of African
- States, vol. XI, April & October.
- Hemmer, H-R. et al., 2000, Developing Countries: Victims or Beneficiaries of Globalisation,
- Justus-Liebig, Universitat GieBen.
- Kydd, J., 2002, 'Is Globalisation Opening or Blocking Paths out of Rural Poverty?', Agricultural
- Research and Extension Network, Network Paper no. 121, January.
- Le Pere, G., 2002, 'The WTO and the Post-DohaAgenda', Global Insight, Issue
- no. 20, July.
- McMichael, P., 1996, Development and Chance: A Global Perspective, Thousand Oaks, CA; Pine Forge
- Press.
- Nunnenkamp, P. et al., 1994, Globalisation of Production and Markets, Tubingen,
- Kieler Studien 262.
- layemi, J.K. and Okunmadawa, F., 1999, Nigeria: Globalisation, Policy Changes and Agricultural
- Research and Development, Department of Agricultural Economies, University oflbadan.
- Onwubiko, E., 2002, 'UN Scores Nigeria high on Agriculture', The Guardian
- (Nigeria), 29 October.
- Report on the Seventh Nigerian Economie Summit (2000), 5-17 October, Ibadan, Spectrum Books.
- Adubifa, A., 1990, Technology Policy in Nigeria, Ibadan, NISER.
- Agbu, A., 2001, 'The Technological Dimension of Africa's Crisis ofDevelopment:
- An Agenda for the 21st Century', Paper presented at the 13th Biennial Congress
- oftheAfricanAssociation of Political Science (AAPS), Yaounde, Cameroon, June 19-22.
- Ajayi, 1., 1992, 'Inadequate Funding: Bane of Agriculture in Africa', National Concord (Nigeria),
- October 9.
- Aju, A., 1994, Industrialization and Technological Innovation in an African Economy, Akoka,
- RECTEM.
- Ake, C., 1996, Democracy and Development in Africa, Ibadan, Spectrum Books. llamgir, M. & Arora,
- P., 1991, Providing Food Security for Ali, London, IFAD. lmanor, K.S., 1999, Global Restructuring
- and Land Rights in Ghana, Research
- Report no. 108, Uppsala, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.
- Amara, H.A. and Founou-Tchuigoua, B., 1990, African Agriculture: The Critical Issues, United
- Nations, Tokyo University Press.
- Bhagavan, M.R., 1990, Technological Advance in the Third World: Strategies and Prospects, London,
- Zed Press.
- Goodman, D. and M. Redclift, 1991, Refashioning Nature: Food. ecology and culture, London and New
- York, Routledge.
- Grobbelaar, J., 1998, 'Sorne Perspectives on Small Scale Farming in SouthAfrica', JICA- FASID,
- Microeconomies and Structural Adjustment in Africa, Tokyo.
- The Guardian (Nigeria), 6 June, 2002.
- Harjinder Singh, 2000, 'African Economie Recovery: Myth or Reality', Indian Journal of African
- States, vol. XI, April & October.
- Hemmer, H-R. et al., 2000, Developing Countries: Victims or Beneficiaries of Globalisation,
- Justus-Liebig, Universitat GieBen.
- Kydd, J., 2002, 'Is Globalisation Opening or Blocking Paths out of Rural Poverty?', Agricultural
- Research and Extension Network, Network Paper no. 121, January.
- Le Pere, G., 2002, 'The WTO and the Post-DohaAgenda', Global Insight, Issue
- no. 20, July.
- McMichael, P., 1996, Development and Chance: A Global Perspective, Thousand Oaks, CA; Pine Forge
- Press.
- Nunnenkamp, P. et al., 1994, Globalisation of Production and Markets, Tubingen,
- Kieler Studien 262.
- layemi, J.K. and Okunmadawa, F., 1999, Nigeria: Globalisation, Policy Changes and Agricultural
- Research and Development, Department of Agricultural Economies, University oflbadan.
- Onwubiko, E., 2002, 'UN Scores Nigeria high on Agriculture', The Guardian
- (Nigeria), 29 October.
- Report on the Seventh Nigerian Economie Summit (2000), 5-17 October, Ibadan, Spectrum Books.
References
Adubifa, A., 1990, Technology Policy in Nigeria, Ibadan, NISER.
Agbu, A., 2001, 'The Technological Dimension of Africa's Crisis ofDevelopment:
An Agenda for the 21st Century', Paper presented at the 13th Biennial Congress
oftheAfricanAssociation of Political Science (AAPS), Yaounde, Cameroon, June 19-22.
Ajayi, 1., 1992, 'Inadequate Funding: Bane of Agriculture in Africa', National Concord (Nigeria),
October 9.
lju, A., 1994, Industrialization and Technological Innovation in an African Economy, Akoka,
RECTEM.
Ake, C., 1996, Democracy and Development in Africa, Ibadan, Spectrum Books. llamgir, M. & Arora,
P., 1991, Providing Food Security for Ali, London, IFAD. lmanor, K.S., 1999, Global Restructuring
and Land Rights in Ghana, Research
Report no. 108, Uppsala, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.
Amara, H.A. and Founou-Tchuigoua, B., 1990, African Agriculture: The Critical Issues, United
Nations, Tokyo University Press.
Bhagavan, M.R., 1990, Technological Advance in the Third World: Strategies and Prospects, London,
Zed Press.
Goodman, D. and M. Redclift, 1991, Refashioning Nature: Food. ecology and culture, London and New
York, Routledge.
Grobbelaar, J., 1998, 'Sorne Perspectives on Small Scale Farming in SouthAfrica', JICA- FASID,
Microeconomies and Structural Adjustment in Africa, Tokyo.
The Guardian (Nigeria), 6 June, 2002.
Harjinder Singh, 2000, 'African Economie Recovery: Myth or Reality', Indian Journal of African
States, vol. XI, April & October.
Hemmer, H-R. et al., 2000, Developing Countries: Victims or Beneficiaries of Globalisation,
Justus-Liebig, Universitat GieBen.
Kydd, J., 2002, 'Is Globalisation Opening or Blocking Paths out of Rural Poverty?', Agricultural
Research and Extension Network, Network Paper no. 121, January.
Le Pere, G., 2002, 'The WTO and the Post-DohaAgenda', Global Insight, Issue
no. 20, July.
McMichael, P., 1996, Development and Chance: A Global Perspective, Thousand Oaks, CA; Pine Forge
Press.
Nunnenkamp, P. et al., 1994, Globalisation of Production and Markets, Tubingen,
Kieler Studien 262.
layemi, J.K. and Okunmadawa, F., 1999, Nigeria: Globalisation, Policy Changes and Agricultural
Research and Development, Department of Agricultural Economies, University oflbadan.
Onwubiko, E., 2002, 'UN Scores Nigeria high on Agriculture', The Guardian
(Nigeria), 29 October.
Report on the Seventh Nigerian Economie Summit (2000), 5-17 October, Ibadan, Spectrum Books.
Adubifa, A., 1990, Technology Policy in Nigeria, Ibadan, NISER.
Agbu, A., 2001, 'The Technological Dimension of Africa's Crisis ofDevelopment:
An Agenda for the 21st Century', Paper presented at the 13th Biennial Congress
oftheAfricanAssociation of Political Science (AAPS), Yaounde, Cameroon, June 19-22.
Ajayi, 1., 1992, 'Inadequate Funding: Bane of Agriculture in Africa', National Concord (Nigeria),
October 9.
Aju, A., 1994, Industrialization and Technological Innovation in an African Economy, Akoka,
RECTEM.
Ake, C., 1996, Democracy and Development in Africa, Ibadan, Spectrum Books. llamgir, M. & Arora,
P., 1991, Providing Food Security for Ali, London, IFAD. lmanor, K.S., 1999, Global Restructuring
and Land Rights in Ghana, Research
Report no. 108, Uppsala, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.
Amara, H.A. and Founou-Tchuigoua, B., 1990, African Agriculture: The Critical Issues, United
Nations, Tokyo University Press.
Bhagavan, M.R., 1990, Technological Advance in the Third World: Strategies and Prospects, London,
Zed Press.
Goodman, D. and M. Redclift, 1991, Refashioning Nature: Food. ecology and culture, London and New
York, Routledge.
Grobbelaar, J., 1998, 'Sorne Perspectives on Small Scale Farming in SouthAfrica', JICA- FASID,
Microeconomies and Structural Adjustment in Africa, Tokyo.
The Guardian (Nigeria), 6 June, 2002.
Harjinder Singh, 2000, 'African Economie Recovery: Myth or Reality', Indian Journal of African
States, vol. XI, April & October.
Hemmer, H-R. et al., 2000, Developing Countries: Victims or Beneficiaries of Globalisation,
Justus-Liebig, Universitat GieBen.
Kydd, J., 2002, 'Is Globalisation Opening or Blocking Paths out of Rural Poverty?', Agricultural
Research and Extension Network, Network Paper no. 121, January.
Le Pere, G., 2002, 'The WTO and the Post-DohaAgenda', Global Insight, Issue
no. 20, July.
McMichael, P., 1996, Development and Chance: A Global Perspective, Thousand Oaks, CA; Pine Forge
Press.
Nunnenkamp, P. et al., 1994, Globalisation of Production and Markets, Tubingen,
Kieler Studien 262.
layemi, J.K. and Okunmadawa, F., 1999, Nigeria: Globalisation, Policy Changes and Agricultural
Research and Development, Department of Agricultural Economies, University oflbadan.
Onwubiko, E., 2002, 'UN Scores Nigeria high on Agriculture', The Guardian
(Nigeria), 29 October.
Report on the Seventh Nigerian Economie Summit (2000), 5-17 October, Ibadan, Spectrum Books.