DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

DEGREE PROGRAM: B A. HONORS (DEVELOPMENT STUDIES)

COURSE TITLE AND CODE: HDES413 AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT

LECTURER: DR. TOBIAS

GROUP MEMBERS:

ANOTIDA T NYATHI M212158 TINOTENDA NDLOVU M211546

RUTENDO H MAGUREYI M211246
VIMBAI GWEDE M211033 BEVERLY BEYI M211610
PATSON NDOU M210890 PRIORITY KUNDHLANDE M210038

QUESTION : To what extent is agriculture the mainstay of developing

countries’ economies.
The agricultural sector has long been regarded as the backbone of many
developing countries' economies, providing food, employment, and raw materials
for various industries. In these economies, the agricultural sector often plays a
significant role in driving growth, reducing poverty, and ensuring food security.
However, the extent to which agriculture remains the mainstay of a developing
country's economy is a subject of debate as it carries weaknesses which include,
climate change, lack of technology and education, the issues of poor soils as well
as lack of capital to carry out large scale agricultural production. This essay seeks
to explore the pivotal role of agriculture in the economies of development
countries, considering its contributions, challenges, and prospects for the future.

Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising
livestock for human use. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including
farming, animal husbandry, and the cultivation of crops such as grains, fruits,
vegetables, and fibers. In simpler terms it can be defined as the art, science or
business which deals with the growing of crops and keeping of animals.
Agriculture is a fundamental component of many economies, providing food, raw
materials, and employment opportunities for a significant portion of the
population.

The term "mainstay" denotes a crucial or central element that provides essential
support or stability. In the context of economies, a mainstay sector is one that plays
a foundational role in sustaining livelihoods, driving economic growth, and
contributing significantly to the overall well-being of a society. In the case of
developing countries, agriculture often serves as a mainstay, as it is a primary
source of income, employment, and sustenance for a large portion of the
population.

To kick start the discussion , agriculture is important as it brings room for foreign
direct investment. It has been argued that to foreign investors, the African food and
beverages sector offers prospects of high returns and opportunities to capitalize on
high food prices and growing domestic demand . Accordingly, policy-makers
across developing countries, including in Africa, consider that agriculture and agri-
business have the highest potential, among all sectors of the economy, to attract
foreign direct investmentI. Foreign direct investment has the potential to bring
investments necessary to keep pace with the growing food demand in Africa. It is
also expected to bring new technologies that increase productivity and have
spillover effects to domestic investors hence agriculture is a main stay of the
developing countries economies. Xxx

More so, agriculture also contributes to the overall economic growth of developing
nations. It supplies food and raw materials for domestic consumption and export,
generating revenue and foreign exchange earnings. The agricultural sector may
include crop production, livestock rearing, forestry, fisheries, and related activities,
which collectively contribute to the country's economic output. Agriculture serves
as an economic multiplier, as increased agricultural income stimulates demand for
goods and services in related sectors. Farmers' increased purchasing power leads to
higher demand for agricultural inputs, machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, and other
related products. This, in turn, generates business opportunities and employment in
the agricultural supply chain, supporting local businesses and industries. Again
agriculture drives technological advancements and innovation. Research and
development in agriculture lead to improved farming practices, high-yielding crop
varieties, efficient irrigation systems, mechanization, and the use of modern
technologies. These innovations not only enhance productivity but also create
opportunities for technology transfer and adoption in other sectors, fostering
overall economic growth, there for it has be clarified that agriculture is the
mainstay to the developing countries.

The agricultural sector impacts society in so many ways and these include;
supporting livelihoods through food, habitat, and jobs, providing raw materials for
food and other products as well as building strong economies through trade.

There is no doubt that agriculture is at the center of most African economies. In

Kenya, the agricultural sector is the backbone in of the economy contributing
approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The
agriculture sector employs more than 40 percent of the total population and 70
percent of the rural population. This goes to show how largely it contributes to the
Kenyan economy thus making it a mainstay. To add more examples, Nigeria’s
agricultural sector contributes to a significant part of the country’s GDP. Between
July and September 2021, the agriculture contributed to almost 30 percent of the
total GDP, an increase by about six percentage point compared to the previous
quarter. Likewise in Tanzania, its agricultural sector contributes about 28% of the
country’s GDP and about 24% of the total exports and ensures food security in the
country( FTDP3, 2021).

More so, it is truly valid to purport that agriculture is the mainstay of the
development countries’ economies to a greater extent as in developing countries
such as Zambia, agriculture contributes approximately 19% to the GDP and
employs three quarters of the population. Domestic production is comprised of
crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, and cassava while exports are driven by
sugar, soybeans, coffee, groundnuts, rice and cotton as well as horticultural
produce. To be exhaustive, according to Danso-Abbeam (et al 2019), Ghana would
also fit into the category as agriculture has positive effects on food security, the
supply of inputs for the food industry, the creation of employment and the
generation of foreign exchange earnings. Therefore, agriculture is the mainstay of
development countries’ economies to a greater extent.

Agriculture plays a critical role in poverty reduction through various mechanisms,

including increasing income opportunities, improving food security, creating
employment, and promoting economic growth. When agriculture thrives, it can
positively impact the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and rural communities,
ultimately lifting them out of poverty.In Zimbabwe, agriculture has historically
been a significant sector of the economy, providing livelihoods for the majority of
the population.One example of how agriculture contributes to poverty reduction in
Zimbabwe is through smallholder farming. Smallholder farmers make up a large
portion of the agricultural workforce in the country and play a vital role in food
production and rural development. By supporting smallholder farmers with access
to resources, training, and markets, agriculture can help improve their income
levels and lift them out of poverty.In other developing countries, agriculture has
also been instrumental in poverty reduction. For example in Ethiopia: Agriculture
is the backbone of Ethiopia's economy and a key driver of poverty reduction. The
country has made significant investments in agriculture to improve productivity,
increase access to markets, and enhance food security. These efforts have helped
reduce poverty rates in rural areas and improve the livelihoods of smallholder
farmers.

Furthermore, the art of agriculture ensures food security in developing countries by

providing a sustainable source of food for the population making it the main stay
of economy. One significant way agriculture contributes to food security is through
the production of crops and livestock that can be consumed locally or exported to
generate income for communities. In Malawi, agriculture accounts for a significant
portion of the country's economy and is the primary source of livelihood for the
majority of the population. The government of Malawi has implemented various
agricultural policies and programs aimed at improving agricultural productivity,
increasing access to markets, and promoting sustainable farming practices.One
specific initiative that has had a positive impact on food security in Malawi is the
Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP). The FISP provides smallholder farmers with
subsidized inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, enabling them to increase their crop
yields and improve their food security. This program has helped reduce hunger and
poverty in rural communities and has contributed to overall economic development
in the country.. By investing in agriculture, governments can empower smallholder
farmers, increase food production, and improve access to nutritious food hence it is
the main stay of developing nations.
However, agriculture does have some elements or rather weaknesses which
undermine their ability to contribute largely to the economy. These weaknesses
include, climate change, lack of technology and education, lack of capital as well
as poor soil.

Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food
quality. For example, projected increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation
patterns, changes in extreme weather events, and reductions in water availability
may all result in reduced agricultural productivity. This ultimately affects
agriculture’s contribution to the economies of developing countries.

More so, lack of technology and education may pose to be a challenge in

agricultural production. Lack of access to technology negatively affects the
productivity of smallholder farmers . Limited access to improved inputs such as
crop varieties, fertilizers, and other complementary technologies .hinders
agricultural productivity. The lack of education in agriculture as an activity may
impact how farmers go about the process. Agriculture being a business as well,
lack of education in marketing strategies may affect their income and ultimately
it’s contribution to economies.

Being that these countries are underdeveloped and in the process of developing,
farmers may lack capital, the country as a whole may lack capital to participate in
large scale agricultural production therefore affecting the progress of the
agricultural sector.
Lastly, another factor is the issue of poor soil in different regions of a developing
country. Soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. Soils supply the
essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support that our food-producing plants
need to grow and flourish. They also serve as a buffer to protect delicate plant
roots from drastic fluctuations in temperature. All these being the benefits of good
soil, once found absent, plant health and growth is affected leading to a decline in
harvest levels.

In conclusion, agriculture undeniably holds a crucial position in the economies of

developing countries, serving as a source of livelihood for millions of people and
contributing to the overall economic growth. While the sector faces challenges
such as climate change, limited access to modern technology and market volatility,
it’s significance cannot be overlooked. It provides employment, ensures food
security and facilitates foreign exchange earnings through exports. However, the
future of agriculture in developing countries will require strategic investments in
modernization, sustainability and value addition to fully harness its potential. To
ensure growth in the agricultural sector as the subject of debate, diversification and
innovation will be pivotal in ensuring comprehensive economic development in
developing nations.
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