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Food security in sub-Saharan Africa: a fresh look on agricultural mechanisation. How adapted financial solutions can make a difference

Author

Listed:
  • Ströh de Martínez, Christiane
  • Feddersen, Marietta
  • Speicher, Anna

Abstract

Much of sub-Saharan Africa’s farmland is (still) cultivated with the hand hoe, and agricultural processing and transport are often done manually. This limits the potential of agriculture in the region. Mechanisation can help to alleviate food shortages and enhance agricultural development. However, this implies high levels of investment for farmers and some risks for rural populations and eco-systems. The necessary financing is especially difficult to access and risky for longer-term agricultural investments such as mechanisation. In addition, there can be trade-offs between mechanisation and employment. To better understand how mechanisation can contribute to food security, this study first assesses the controversial impact of mechanisation on rural populations and their environments. In a second step, the difficulty in accessing financing is analysed, distilling success factors for financing mechanisation. Thereby, the study aims at bringing the sectors of agriculture and finance closer together with the overall objective of fighting food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Ströh de Martínez, Christiane & Feddersen, Marietta & Speicher, Anna, 2016. "Food security in sub-Saharan Africa: a fresh look on agricultural mechanisation. How adapted financial solutions can make a difference," IDOS Studies, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), volume 91, number 91, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:diestu:91
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Altenburg, Tilman & Kleinz, Maria & Lütkenhorst, Wilfried, 2016. "Directing structural change: from tools to policy," IDOS Discussion Papers 24/2016, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    2. Müller, Corinna & Ströh de Martínez, Christiane & Brüntrup, Michael, 2017. "Erfolgreiche landwirtschaftliche Mechanisierung in Subsahara Afrika und die Bedeutung der Agrarfinanzierung," Analysen und Stellungnahmen 12/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    3. Castillejo, Clare, 2016. "The European Union Trust Fund for Africa: a glimpse of the future for EU development cooperation," IDOS Discussion Papers 22/2016, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    4. Daum, Thomas, "undated". "Agricultural mechanization and sustainable agrifood system transformation in the Global South," ESA Working Papers 330795, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).

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