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Agriculture in Africa worries World Bank

Agriculture in Africa worries World Bank
By By Margaret Mtonga
Fri 04 Dec. 2009, 13:20 CAT

WEAK national commitment and bureaucratic capacity are major constraints for commercial agricultural in Africa, the World Bank report has observed.

According to a report on agricultural and rural development, the World Bank stated that it was important to have improved incentives to invest in agricultural sector in Africa.

“African entrepreneurs face major constraints in equaling the success in international competition,” read the report.

The report also stated that African agricultural exports were still being taxed at higher levels than elsewhere.

“It is important for African governments to move domestic prices towards export prices by moving export taxes and replacing them with less distortionary taxes,” the report stated.

The World Bank further stated that continued macro policy reforms must be rapidly implemented in the regional integration.

“Governments must rapidly implement regional integration agreements that support regional trade, such as banning arbitrary export to harmonize standards and regulation.”

The report stated that agricultural development cannot be done on the cheap ignoring the fundamentals of productivity growth in the food system.

“Particular damage has been done by neglecting to invest in agricultural research institutions,” read the report. “Africa needs investment to replenish agricultural education at all levels,”

Labels: AGRICULTURE, FARMERS, World Bank

posted by MrK @ 3:53 PM