United Nations Radio

African countries have enormous potential for commercial farming.

Agricultural production in Africa

A study published on Monday, by the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank points out that a vast stretch of African savannah land from Senegal to South Africa has 400 million hectares of land suitable for farming.

The book, entitled "Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giant- Prospects for Commercial Agriculture in the Guinea Savannah zone and Beyond" notes that only 10 per cent of the land is actually being cultivated.

The study compares the Savannah to Brazil and Thailand, noting that both countries had physical disadvantages such as abundant but unreliable rainfall patterns, poor soil, remoteness and soils prone to acidity and toxicity.

In both countries governments created conditions for agricultural growth by putting in place favourable policies, adequate infrastructure, a strong human capital base, competent administration and political stability.

The report says Africa is better placed today to achieve rapid development in agriculture than either Thailand or Brazil was when their agricultural transformation took off in 1980.

It points out that in Africa there is rapid economic, population and urban growth providing diverse and ample domestic markets.

In addition, there are favourable policy environments, improved business climates in many countries, increased foreign and domestic investment in agriculture and the use of new technologies.

The study stresses that commercial agriculture in Africa should involve smallholders to maximize growth and spread benefits widely.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

(duration: 1'41")