Conclusion: Agricultural Investments and Rural Development in Africa-Salient Issues and Imperatives

Abstract

This concluding chapter of the handbook summarizes the main issues based on the broader heading of “Agricultural Investments and Rural Development in Africa: Salient Issues and Imperatives.” It underscores the salient points that resonate, which are covered in this order: development and employment issues; development and agricultural finance; development, industrialization and technology adoption; access to land and household livelihood; agricultural value chain and food security; and politics of land acquisition and agricultural productivity. The chapter surmises that to achieve the desired agricultural transformation and development in Africa more frantic emphasis is required in terms of crafting policies that will make finance available to the agricultural sector; reducing employment bottlenecks; access to agricultural-friendly technologies; adherence to principles guiding land acquisitions. The above is imperative in ensuring that the much talked about agricultural and rural development in Africa is both people-oriented and sustainable.