Halting Hunger

The food crisis in mid-2008 was symptomatic of a much greater problem in Africa. Africa's ability to feed itself has been in decline for the past four decades. Government intervention and interference in agricultural markets prevented the growth of commercial agricultural sectors and decreased the ability of African farmers to improve their standards of living through agriculture.  To combat hunger and to encourage economic development, African governments need to embark on reforms that allow farmers to use agriculture to improve their lives.

This Policy Comment demonstrates the disruptive influence of government involvement in agriculture across Africa and suggests what reforms are needed and how they can be achieved.  With its focus on long-term solutions to agricultural development, this Policy Comment builds on Fixing Famine: How Technology and Incentives Can Help Feed Africa, which focused on immediate and short-term means to deal with hunger and economic development in Africa.

Citation (Chicago Style)

Sacks, Daniel. "Halting Hunger: Long-term Solutions to Systemic Problems in African Agriculture." Mercatus Policy Series, Policy Comment No. 26. Arlington, VA: Mercatus Center at George Mason University, 2009.