Africa's Agricultural Policies--A More Concerted Effort Will Be Needed If Reform Is Expected
NSIAD-83-36
Published: Sep 08, 1983. Publicly Released: Sep 08, 1983.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed efforts by the Agency for International Development (AID) to reform host-government agricultural policies in Sub-Saharan Africa, which have been recognized as a major cause of the current agricultural crisis in the region because agricultural producers are not provided with either appropriate incentives or suitable economic environments to make production beyond the subsistence level worthwhile.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should require a definitive policy reform plan from the mission in each country, including an assessment of the probability for policy reform. Each plan should recognize the difficulties in motivating the country to make needed reforms and the potential and likely long-term nature of such an effort. Such a plan should provide actions that can be taken immediately and over the longer term and actions to be pursued if the country fails to respond or to make adequate progress. |
AID has emphasized the importance of policy reform and upgraded its staff. Missions are preparing detailed policy analyses and has hired a number of economists to undertake policy dialogue. AID has begun projects to improve host-government policy reform capabilities. The proposed Economic Policy Initiative will reward those countries that reform their economic policies.
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| U.S. Agency for International Development | The Administrator, AID, should establish appropriate incentives for rewarding missions and staffs for their efforts in: (1) effectively carrying out policy reform programs; (2) enlisting the support of other donors for a more unified donor approach to policy reform; and (3) involving the Departments of State, Treasury, and Agriculture in the AID policy reform effort by soliciting their views and input on both regionwide and country-specific AID documents generated. |
AID disagreed with the need for staff incentives for policy reform. Policy reform is receiving greater AID attention, since nonproject assistance is becoming more common in Africa. AID held consultations with major donors and is working to improve conditions. An interagency coordination group is working to involve interested U.S. agencies in policy reform strategies.
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Topics
Agricultural policiesDeveloping countriesEconomic analysisForeign economic assistanceInteragency relationsInternational food programsPlanningPrioritizingProgram evaluationPublic officials