The crucial role of agricultural development in economic growth and industrialization of Africa and the call for integrated services delivery

This paper explores how agricultural development is closely interconnected to economic development and industrialization, and how Africa could embrace this reality and develop agriculture, its economy, and industrialize. Africa boasts land masses with enormous agricultural potential across various agro-ecological zones. And, Africa is home to over 20% of the world’s arable land, most of which is yet to be optimally utilized in agricultural production. This bestows the continent with an enormous potential to feed an everexpanding world population, projected to reach 9 billion by 2050. Agriculture provides for the basic “physiological” needs. Without satisfying these basic needs, all other aspects of human development and endeavor are compromised. History reveals that agricultural development precedes economic growth, and wholesale industrialization. The world’s most developed nations are cognizant of the crucial role that agriculture plays in economic growth and industrialization, and accordingly, they invest strategically. South Africa’s dualistic agriculture provides a classical example of how agricultural development is inseparably intertwined to economic growth. Those regions of the country that have developed agriculture also have vibrant economies, and the opposite is true of former homelands areas, where agriculture is underdeveloped. Africa’s industrialization and economic growth will be enhanced, if underperforming agriculture is developed. Also, to facilitate agricultural development on the continent, extension, research, and training need to be delivered in an integrated way. Countries that provide integrated agricultural services, such as the United States of America through its Land-grant system, have vibrant agriculture and agro-based industries and command robust economies. Therefore, African countries should consider investing in agricultural development, and adopting and adapting integrated services delivery models that meet each country’s specific needs, if the continent is to industrialize.