Innovation and Agriculture-Led Local Economic Development

2011
Published in: 
Presented at the Second International Conference on Local Government, Durban, 26-28 October 2011
Series: 
Second International Conference on Local Government, Durban, 26-28 October 2011
Author/s: 
Lindile L. Ndabeni
Publisher: 
Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI)

Conclusions

  • Africa’s inclusive development and growth depends on agriculture especially in rural areas
  • Productivity and economic opportunity are highly variable across sub-national regions
  • But, the reliance on access to capital and globalized markets means that these opportunities are likely to be captured by large-scale private enterprises
  • Africa’s poverty reduction programs do not set out clear mechanisms on how prosperity can be generated at sub-national level in which the poor can participate directly
  • Territorial development programs can enhance space for dialogue, and consensus building, including strengthening the voices of the poor, link bottom-up with top-down planning processes
  • The need for directing LED programs to rural areas is widely accepted
  • But there is still a divide between urban planners and rural development agencies
  • LED initiatives especially in Sub-Saharan Africa must provide learning experiences
  • LED programs must be seen as engines of growth
  • There is a need for more attention in building up tools, competencies, and capabilities for successful LED at sub-national level
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