Suchergebnisse

This paper analyses the food price trends in South Africa during two periods of rapid food price inflation that occurred in the decade 2000 - 10 and unpacks the political reaction and policy responses to the food price crises in these two periods. Based on personal recollection of events during the past decade, interviews with former politicians and state officials, as well as a thorough investigation of relevant cabinet and government documents it is concluded that agricultural and food policy in South Africa remained largely unchanged with no controls or regulations introduced. The South African state has maintained since 1998 a substantive social welfare programme reaching the poorest 20 per cent of the South African population, which has provided an important safety net during periods of high food prices. The South African government nevertheless implemented a set of second class interventions that mostly target the poorer section of the population in an attempt to mitigate the negative effects of price changes and include elements such as food parcels, agricultural starter packs, and vegetable gardens.

Analyzing the evolution of agricultural research and development policy in South Africa is a fascinating but difficult task, primarily because of the large number of structural, institutional, and political changes that took place during the 20th century. This chapter tracks the history of South Africa's agricultural research and development system against this background, highlighting changes over the past 20 years. Such changes have enabled better documentation of public spending on R&D and assessments of changes in the methods by which those funds are disbursed. ; PR ; IFPRI1; Pro-poor science and technology policies; Public Policy and Investment ; ISNAR

This article examines a new role for contract farming in developing countries in the light of the industrialization of agriculture and the globalization of world markets. A theoretical rationale for contracting in developing countries is developed on the basis of adopting a new institutional economic theory for the purpose of matching governance forms to market failure problems and transaction characteristics. The history of contract farming is reviewed, together with the advantages and disadvantages to the various players, for the purpose of developing a list of key success factors, problems and some possible solutions. (DÜI-Sbd)

Die Autoren stellen einige Parallelen in den politischen Entwicklungen in Angola und Mosambik von der Unabhängigkeit bis in die jüngste Phase eines erneuten Versuches zum Aufbau demokratischer Staatsordnungen heraus. Der Text gibt einen kurzen Überblick über die geschichtliche Entwicklung beider Länder, wobei besonderer Wert auf Verfassungsänderungen, deren Ursachen, die Einflußnahme externer Kräfte und ihre Ergebnisse gelegt wird. (DÜI-Spl)

This book contributes to the literature on Geographical Indications (GIs) by providing key theoretical reflections from a five-year review process on the potential of GIs for agri-food products in Southern Africa. The contributors reflect on diverse GI processes and dynamics which operate at the local, national and international levels, thus enriching the understanding of GI dynamics and of the variety of policy options available for GI protection in Southern countries. Following a discussion of the legal framework and governance of national GI schemes in Southern countries, the book emphasizes the main dimensions underlying the development of GIs and their potential for enhancing sustainable rural development and market access in particular. This provides the structure for the chapters that build on the different experiences of Southern African industries that have embarked on GI strategies. The book includes chapters on designing an appropriate legal framework and governance system for the development of GIs in Southern countries.