A green revolution for Africa - Does it need to be so controversial?

Hans Holmén

ICER Working Papers from ICER - International Centre for Economic Research

Abstract: Due to sub-Saharan Africa’s recurrent food-crises and enhanced difficulties to feed its growing population, calls for a Green Revolution – a substantially raised agricultural productivity by means of scientific modernization and supportive institutional reforms – are often aired. However, in other camps the Green Revolution is seen as undesireable generally and as particularly unsuitable for Africa. This paper takes a closer look at this debate, analyses the arguments forwarded and discusses the pros and cons of a Green Revolution in Africa. It is emphasized that the Green Revolution – contrary to what many seem to believe – is not a static ’thing’ to be imported whole-sale. On the contrary, it is highly dynamic and, due to recent scientific break-throughs, it may now – perhaps for the first time – be adapted to Africa’s physical, ecological and socio-economic preconditions. The paper ends with some suggestions about what a Green Revolution ’African style’ might look like.

Pages: 36 pages
Date: 2003-01
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:icr:wpicer:04-2003

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