Agricultural Modernization, Structural Change and Pro-poor Growth: Policy Options for the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

This paper applies the framework for pro-poor analysis to welfare changes from a CGE-microsimulation model to analyze what are the better or worse models for agriculture modernization, and to estimate the contribution of growth and redistribution to changes in poverty in DRC. The findings indicate that labor-using technological change generates absolute and relative pro-poor effects whereas capital-using technological change leads to immiserizing growth. More importantly, the results suggest that labor-using technological change can be independently sufficient for reducing poverty via the income growth effects. This study also highlights how developing input supply networks, securing tenure among smallholders, and improving access to land for women are important for pro-poor agricultural modernization.

Agricultural extension, technology adoption and household food security : evidence from DRC

“…(Otchia, 2014). Similarly, the use of improved seeds is the privilege of a few, certainly not small scale farmers.…”

“…Agricultural productivity in Eastern DRC is remarkably low (Thaddée, 2013) which, according to Otchia (2014), is largely due to the poor use of improved farming technologies such as fertilizers and germplasm, and the rudimentary nature of the equipment used for cultivation. The increase in population density and the overexploitation of land without proper nutrient management are increasingly leading to severe impoverishment of soil fertility and erosion (Pypers, Sanginga et al, 2011), which has a direct impact on land productivity and ultimately on poverty and food insecurity (Lambrecht, Vanlauwe et al, 2016b).…”

“…In 2002, the government also removed all kinds of subsidies to agriculture, creating a worsening environment for farmers in DRC (Otchia, 2014).…”

“…It largely corresponds to farmers' lack of access to capacity building opportunities, low use of improved technologies including seeds and fertilizers, small landholdings and economies of scale, the informal character of agriculture, and the rudimentary nature of technologies used in the sector (Otchia, 2014).…”

“…DRC is one of the countries in SSA with the largest gap between the share of agricultural employment which makes up 60 percent of labor force and the sector's contribution to national gross domestic product (GDP), which is only about 21 percent (Otchia, 2014 (Akakpo, Randriamamonjy et al, 2014). These have all contributed to remarkably low yields for most crops.…”