Question

What is (are) the key characteristic(s) of the agrarian system in Sub-Saharan Africa?What is (are) the key characteristic(s) of the agrarian system in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Answer 1

Agriculture in sub Saharan Africa is very pertinent to the economies of sub Saharan countries as its GDP contribution is significant.in countries like Chad where agriculture is the primary sector ,almost 50% GDP is derived from agriculture.The sub Saharan agriculture has several unique characteristics.

1) low capital investment in agriculture 2) low productivity levels compared to Asia ,Europe and Americas 3) we can observe more uncultivated land area.4) subsistence is given priority than the commercial agriculture (except cocoa production and coffee)5) market failures in terms minimum support price and transportation are evident.6) mechanisation of agriculture is not done entirely and mostly conventional methods of cultivation is still in practice.6)with the increasing levels of undernourishment we can clearly say that there is not enough production of food grains such as wheat ,rice and other pulses thus making the food insecurity evident.7) agriculture research and development activities are sluggish 8)most farmers in these countries own less than 2 hectors of farm land .9) weak infrastructure and stock holding facilities impact the agricultural sector badly.10) widespread labour participation is a good sign but low productivity levels owing less infrastructure is problem in sub Saharan African agriculture.