The Role of Multilateral Organizations: the African Experience

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has not shared in the remarkable growth in agricultural production in many developing countries. The region's current dependence on food imports is likely to increase. The record of development assistance to help Africa increase its food production has not been encouraging. What is needed for Africa is not more aid per se but more aid directed specifically towards overcoming micro-level impediments to increased agricultural productivity specific to each country. In a more focused programme of project lending for agriculture, international organizations have a key role. Better donor coordination, increased focus on poor farmers, more relevant and practical agricultural research and stronger agricultural extension services can be better realized through multilateral channels. Since it will take many years before Africa can achieve greater food self-sufficiency and its capacity to pay for sufficient food imports will remain inadequate, food aid will continue to be required. It is suggested that a new international regime for assuring essential food imports for poor food-deficit countries is required.