Diversifying agricultural production and exports in Africa: the role of public agricultural research.

This chapter evaluates the measures that African countries must implement in order to diversify their production base and increase the competitiveness of their agricultural exports. It begins by providing an overview of the trade reforms implemented in African countries during the 1990s against the backdrop of changes in the global trading system and the impact of these changes on their production, competitiveness and exports. It then surveys the main reforms that have taken place so far in sub-Saharan Africa and outlines the policy measures that must still be implemented in order to expand their production base, gain competitiveness, and diversify their exports. Next, it examines the role and potential contribution of agricultural research in assisting that transition. It then summarizes the main findings of a survey conducted among 105 national agricultural research organizations in 33 developing countries to evaluate the adjustments these institutes made in their research priorities in order to accomplish this role.