TITLE:
The Importance of Agricultural Development Projects: A Focus on Sustenance and Employment Creation in Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, and Uganda
AUTHORS:
Benonia Mwahafa Rafael
KEYWORDS:
Agriculture, Development, Employment, Hunger, Food Security, Investment, Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,
Vol.12 No.2,
May
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: The paper on the importance of Agricultural Development Projects focuses on different projects implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, and Uganda. The paper presents the significance of agriculture in these 5 African economies in its ability to provide job opportunities and sustenance. A large portion of the African population in their different countries resides in rural areas and is fully dependent on agriculture for food and income. Subsequently, the development of many developing economies relies heavily on agriculture, the sector is the highest employer in the region with 60 percent of the total labor force being employed in agriculture and agriculture-related sectors such as manufacturing. The success of the sector means that people will have sufficient food, jobs will be created, and standards of living will be improved. The different projects implemented by local governments in the 5 countries and by the development partners have attained plausible results in providing job opportunities, increasing yield, providing food security, and creating a market for small-holder farmers. Despite these remarkable achievements, the agriculture sector in Africa as a whole is faced with many challenges that hinder its success, such as lack of funding, lack of infrastructure, limited land for farming, and climate change. To overcome these challenges and enable the sector to transform, bold policies need to be implemented. This study recommends that African countries create favorable business environments to attract investment, encourage youth participation in agricultural activities, and employ modern farming practices to increase agricultural productivity.