Rural Transitions, Economies and Rural–urban Link

This brief aims to summarise existing understandings of rural transformation and transitions in Africa

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
17 August 2018
Country:
Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
Document Type:
Briefing
Theme:
Agriculture
Authors:
Wiggins, S, Sabates-Wheeler, R, Yaro, J

Abstract

This brief aims to summarise existing understandings of rural transformation and transitions in Africa. Agricultural development takes place within the wider context of overall economic development. In the process, changes in agriculture — such as the increased commercialisation of farms in general, and smallholdings in particular — interact with changes in the rest of the rural and urban economies. Development therefore usually brings about a structural transformation of the economy, from one dominated by agriculture to one in which manufacturing and services make up the bulk of activity; while the majority of the population become increasingly urban. The brief will focus on four key areas: the rural non-farm economy; rural–urban links; migration out of rural areas; and social protection.

This work is part of the APRA (Agricultural Policy Research Policy in Africa) Programme

Citation

Wiggins, S., Sabates-Wheeler, R. and Yaro, J. (2018) Rural Transitions, Economies and Rural-urban Links APRA Brief 3, Future Agricultures Consortium.

APRA Brief 3: Rural Transitions, Economies and Rural–urban Link

Updates to this page

Published 17 August 2018
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