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Agro-Economic Transitions in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa): Historical Trends and Current Insights

Author

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  • Philip J. Havik

    (Centre for Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1349-006 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Filipa Monteiro

    (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
    Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), School of Agriculture (ISA), University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Silvia Catarino

    (Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), School of Agriculture (ISA), University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
    Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture (ISA), University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • A. Manuel Correia

    (Centre of Tropical Studies for Development (CENTROP), School of Agriculture (ISA), University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Luís Catarino

    (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Maria Manuel Romeiras

    (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
    Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), School of Agriculture (ISA), University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

The present study provides a critical analysis of the introduction of exotic food crop species and their impact on agricultural transformations in Guinea-Bissau, based on survey data and a review of the literature from the 1800s to the present. It applies a multidisciplinary analysis to map historical and contemporary agrarian knowledge in Guinea-Bissau, presenting the first list of exotic cultivated species introduced in the country. Our results show that many introduced crops have gained widespread acceptance among local producers, with 63 exotic cultivated species native to America and Asia. The most representative families are Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Anacardiaceae, including the country’s main former and current cash crops. First driven by peanuts in colonial times and by cashew after independence from 1980s onwards, Guinea-Bissau rapidly became one of Africa’s major exporters. The current cashew monoculture—like peanuts before it—relies almost exclusively on smallholder agriculture, raising concerns with regard to biodiversity, sustainability, and food security. The paper analyses historical trends in agro-economic transformations taking into account policies, programs, performance, and scientific research. Despite the existence of a long-standing single crop economy, further research is needed in this largely understudied country to assess the impact of long-term agrarian change.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip J. Havik & Filipa Monteiro & Silvia Catarino & A. Manuel Correia & Luís Catarino & Maria Manuel Romeiras, 2018. "Agro-Economic Transitions in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa): Historical Trends and Current Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3408-:d:171883
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. International Monetary Fund, 2017. "Guinea- Bissau: Selected Issues Paper," IMF Staff Country Reports 2017/381, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Christian Henning & Ousmane Badiane & Eva Krampe (ed.), 2018. "Development Policies and Policy Processes in Africa," Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development, Springer, number 978-3-319-60714-6.
    3. Souleymane Sy & Nathalie De Noblet-Ducoudré & Benjamin Quesada & Ibrahima Sy & Amadou Moctar Dieye & Amadou Thierno Gaye & Benjamin Sultan, 2017. "Land-Surface Characteristics and Climate in West Africa: Models’ Biases and Impacts of Historical Anthropogenically-Induced Deforestation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Filipa Monteiro & Luís Catarino & Dora Batista & Bucar Indjai & Maria Cristina Duarte & Maria M. Romeiras, 2017. "Cashew as a High Agricultural Commodity in West Africa: Insights towards Sustainable Production in Guinea-Bissau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Sparrow, Ashley D. & Traoré, Adama, 2018. "Limits to the applicability of the innovation platform approach for agricultural development in West Africa: Socio-economic factors constrain stakeholder engagement and confidence," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 335-343.
    6. Ousmane Badiane & Sunday P. Odjo & Fleur Wouterse, 2018. "Macro-economic Models: Comparative Analysis of Strategies and Long Term Outlook for Growth and Poverty Reduction Among ECOWAS Member Countries," Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development, in: Christian Henning & Ousmane Badiane & Eva Krampe (ed.), Development Policies and Policy Processes in Africa, pages 21-47, Springer.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eva M. García del Toro & María Isabel Más-López, 2019. "Changes in Land Cover in Cacheu River Mangroves Natural Park, Guinea-Bissau: The Need for a More Sustainable Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-14, November.

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