How Agricultural Modernization Can Help In Poverty Reduction

By Jane Muia / Published August 25, 2022 | 4:33 pm

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When agricultural productivity increases, farmers have more money to spend on goods and services, which stimulates economic activity in rural areas. And when agricultural growth contributes to overall economic growth, it creates opportunities for people in other sectors of the economy as well.

As the world progresses, many underdeveloped countries are left behind in terms of development and poverty reduction. While various factors contribute to this problem, one of the most significant is the lack of agricultural modernization.

In many third-world countries, agriculture is still done using traditional methods, which are not only inefficient but also often result in low yields. This, in turn, results in high levels of poverty and hunger, as well as a lack of income for those who are dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.

However, there is hope that agricultural modernization can help to solve this problem. By introducing modern methods of agriculture, such as irrigation, mechanization, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides, farmers in third-world countries can increase their yields and produce more food for their families and communities.

In addition, modern agriculture can also help to generate income through the sale of surplus crops. With more income, families and communities can invest in other areas, such as education and health care, which can further contribute to poverty reduction.

While agricultural modernization is not a panacea for all of the problems faced by third-world countries, it can certainly play a role in reducing poverty and hunger. With the right policies and investments in place, agricultural modernization can help to transform the lives of many people living in poverty.

World Bank projections show that agriculture could be a major driver of poverty reduction in developing countries. In 2010, agriculture accounted for about 27 percent of GDP in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and employed nearly 60 percent of the labor force. The sector is also an important source of export earnings, accounting for 10–15 percent of exports in most low- and medium-income countries.

Why Agriculture is the most efficient means of reducing poverty quickly.

The sector employs a large share of the poor, particularly in Africa and South Asia, and agricultural growth has spillover effects on the rest of the economy, stimulating economic activity in rural areas and contributing to overall economic growth.

In Africa, for example, almost two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, and in some countries, such as Malawi, more than 80 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture. In South Asia, too, the sector is critically important, with an estimated 60 percent of the population dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.

To realize agriculture’s potential to reduce poverty, however, countries need to invest in agricultural research and development, infrastructure, and education and training for farmers and other agricultural workers. In addition, policies and regulations need to be in place to support private sector investment in agriculture.