Poor regulation threatens agric in sub-Saharan Africa – Report

Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is under threat as countries in the region lack the regulatory strength that will drive food production and distribution. This was revealed in a World Bank report released on January 28, 2016. The report noted that there is greater room for improving key regulations that govern the agribusiness sector in countries […]

Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is under threat as countries in the region lack the regulatory strength that will drive food production and distribution.
This was revealed in a World Bank report released on January 28, 2016.
The report noted that there is greater room for improving key regulations that govern the agribusiness sector in countries where agriculture is a major economic activity.
The report found that of the 40 countries surveyed around the world, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia show levels of regulatory strength that are generally lower than the global average across the areas measured.
According to the report, countries where agriculture accounts for less than 25 percent of GDP have better regulatory systems that foster agribusiness and ensure quality control and safety of food production.
The report, which is the first edition of Enabling the Business of Agriculture 2016: Comparing regulatory good practices, examines regulations that affect private enterprise in agribusiness.
 “Ending poverty and hunger will require well-performing agriculture and food sectors that can cater to the rising demand, which in turn depends on smart regulations that enable agribusinesses to thrive,” the report stressed.
According to Preeti Ahuja, Manager in the World Bank’s Agriculture Global Practice, which produced the report in conjunction with the Global Indicators Group in the Development Economics Vice Presidency, well-designed agribusiness laws and regulations are the bedrock of national and global efforts to address daunting challenges.
“By focusing on key elements of the food production and distribution value chain, Enabling the Business of Agriculture hopes to promote regulatory systems that enable sustainable and inclusive agribusinesses to take root and thrive,” Ahuja said.