Strategies for the Development and Management of Agriculture

In Chapter 1, I described the TW as burdened by excessive population, predominantly agricultural economies, limited resources and limited exposure to institutions of the modern economy. To remedy such circumstances, it follows then that governments of TW countries need to develop policies which can effectively control population and increase agricultural productivity. Historically, countries generate surplus from increased agricultural productivity, thus providing a foundation for structural transformation of the economy (Johnson, 1997). Under given resource conditions, the underlying differences in economic development between countries are then determined by the quality of policies. This in my view is fundamental to the extraordinary performance of East Asia when compared with South Asia. In previous chapters of this study I have emphasized several aspects, such as differences in historical experience, impact of culture and religion, type of political and administrative system, etc., all of which influence the manner in which governments develop policies and implement them.