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A Systems Thinking Approach to Address the Complexity of Agribusiness for Sustainable Development in Africa: A Case Study in Ghana

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  • Kwamina E. Banson
  • Nam C. Nguyen
  • Ockie J. H. Bosch
  • Thich V. Nguyen

Abstract

African countries have comparative advantages in the production and export of primary commodities; however, they face many sustainability challenges in the agricultural sector. Since the democratization of many African countries, notably Ghana, there have been a number of interventions costing billions of dollars to overcome the challenges facing the agricultural industry but with little success. The agricultural industry is a complex system. Casual loop and Bayesian belief network modelling were used to develop systems models to determine the components and interactions between the policy and the social, environmental and economic dimensions of the industry. Insights into potential system behaviors and leverage points for systemic interventions required for sustainable agricultural development were identified. The systems models will help governments to anticipate the long‐term consequences of their decisions and actions, as well as help to avoid any unintended consequences of policies and strategies such as ‘silo mentality’ and ‘organizational myopia’. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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  • Kwamina E. Banson & Nam C. Nguyen & Ockie J. H. Bosch & Thich V. Nguyen, 2015. "A Systems Thinking Approach to Address the Complexity of Agribusiness for Sustainable Development in Africa: A Case Study in Ghana," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(6), pages 672-688, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:32:y:2015:i:6:p:672-688
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2270
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    2. Domenico Dentoni & Carlo Cucchi & Marija Roglić & Rob Lubberink & Rahmin Bender & Timothy Manyise, 2023. "Systems Thinking, Mapping and Change in Food and Agriculture," Post-Print hal-04002011, HAL.
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    5. Julius Okello & Yuan Zhou & Ian Barker & Elmar Schulte-Geldermann, 2019. "Motivations and Mental Models Associated with Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology: Evidence from Use of Quality Seed Potato in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(2), pages 271-292, April.
    6. Craig W. Hutton & Oliver Hensengerth & Tristan Berchoux & Van P. D. Tri & Thi Tong & Nghia Hung & Hal Voepel & Stephen E. Darby & Duong Bui & Thi N. Bui & Nguyen Huy & Daniel Parsons, 2021. "Stakeholder Expectations of Future Policy Implementation Compared to Formal Policy Trajectories: Scenarios for Agricultural Food Systems in the Mekong Delta," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, May.
    7. Michael C. Jackson, 2020. "Critical systems practice 1: Explore—Starting a multimethodological intervention," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 839-858, September.
    8. Katharine Tröger & Margareta Amy Lelea & Oliver Hensel & Brigitte Kaufmann, 2018. "Embracing the Complexity: Surfacing Problem Situations with Multiple Actors of the Pineapple Value Chain in Uganda," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 31(5), pages 557-580, October.
    9. Thi Trang Nhung NGUYEN & Huu Cuong TRAN & Thi Minh Hop HO & Philippe BURNY & Philippe LEBAILLY, 2019. "Dynamics of Farming Systems under the Context of Coastal Zone Development: The Case of Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-19, July.
    10. Mastewal Yami & Shiferaw Feleke & Tahirou Abdoulaye & Arega D. Alene & Zoumana Bamba & Victor Manyong, 2019. "African Rural Youth Engagement in Agribusiness: Achievements, Limitations, and Lessons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.

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