The reports about
Malawi being a success story in agricultural production were very interesting
and a challenge for many African countries. To date there is a feeling in many African
countries that not enough money in the national budget is being allocated to
agriculture. Malawi did this starting in 2004 by giving a subsidy to farmers and is
reported that Malawi started harvesting maize in surpluses which enabled it to
export to other countries. It is reported further that this was opposed by
donors who say subsidies were against the principals of free markets. Donors withdrew their
usual support for the government budget deficit and the Malawian economy
crumbled. What is the problem? The problem is begging. If you rely on donations,
when the rag is pulled away from you, you will definitely collapse.
I have argued and
will again do so that African emergence from poverty lies on increasing
production in and productivity of agriculture. The problem of not being able to
produce more has dire consequences not only poverty but hunger. And to overcome
hunger, donors must again be gracious enough to donate food to these poor Africans.
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