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Can commercial farming promote rural dynamism in sub-Saharan Africa?: Evidence from Mozambique

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  • Steven Glover
  • Sam Jones

Abstract

The impact of large commercial farms on neighbouring smallholders in low-income sub-Saharan Africa remains controversial. Bringing evidence to a largely anecdotal debate, we deploy a dataset covering all commercial farms in Mozambique, linking them to a nationally representative survey of smallholders. We investigate: (i) the degree of selection of commercial farms into more/less favourable locations; and (ii) the effects of these farms on the incomes of neighbouring smallholders. We are unable to find robust evidence of either positive or negative spillovers from commercial farms.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Glover & Sam Jones, 2016. "Can commercial farming promote rural dynamism in sub-Saharan Africa?: Evidence from Mozambique," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-120, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2016-120
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    References listed on IDEAS

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