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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Emerging Issues Confronting the Renewable Natural Resources Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa |
Authors: | Marter, A. Gordon, A. |
Year: | 1996 |
Periodical: | Food Policy |
Volume: | 21 |
Issue: | 2 |
Period: | May |
Pages: | 229-241 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Subsaharan Africa |
Subjects: | population growth natural resources economic policy natural resource management Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Development and Technology Economics and Trade |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-9192(95)00079-8 |
Abstract: | The renewable natural resources sector in Africa is of particular importance because of the relatively high proportion of livelihoods that it supports in comparison to other developing regions. Threats to these livelihoods arise from the relative fragility of the sector in the context of continuing, rapid, population growth. Key concerns include the need for agricultural intensification in the context of systems that are often located in marginal areas; the demands made by rapid urbanization which contribute to the difficulties in developing sustainable systems; and access rights to key resources such as water. The policy and institutional environment can exacerbate difficulties since trends towards greater democracy often prove destabilizing. Structural adjustment has not yielded the expected benefits. It appears that a broader-based strategy is needed including not only government institutions at national and local levels, but also NGOs and community organizations, and even regional and international bodies. Sub-Saharan Africa has probably suffered more than most regions from an overdose of dogma. What is really required is a flexible, pragmatic approach that recognizes the legitimacy and complementary roles of both the public and the private sector. Bibliogr., sum. |