Social protection and rural transformation in Africa

Correa, J.S.; Daidone, S.; Davis, B.; Sitko, N.J.;

Social protection and rural transformation in Africa

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 46 p.

Author Correa, J.S.; Daidone, S.; Davis, B.; Sitko, N.J.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) This article develops a conceptual framework on pathways through which non-contributory social protection can contribute to a resilient and inclusive agricultural growth in rural Africa. It draws insights from a review of rigorous empirical evidence on the impacts of cash transfers and multifaceted cash plus programs on range of relevant productive outcomes, including: accumulation of productive assets; inputs and farm management practices; off-farm labour and non-farm enterprises; and farm production and income. The review demonstrates an emerging consensus in the literature that access to social protection programs contributes positively to increasing the productive asset holdings of rural people, increased use of improved inputs and farm practices, and a shift away from casual wage labour arrangements. Moreover, there is limited evidence on heterogeneous effects across different baseline characteristics (income, sex, labor-constrained households, among others). Finally, the article highlights how social protection programs should be considered an integral part of broader rural and agricultural development strategies in order to achieve a more productive, resilient, and equitable rural transformation in rural Africa.

Cite this content as:

Correa, J.S., Daidone, S., Davis, B. & Sitko, N.J. 2023. Social protection and rural transformation in Africa. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc5112en

Language English

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Book (stand-alone)

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This report aims to provide an illustrative and insightful overview of FAO’s work in social protection across Africa. Produced by the FAO Regional Office for Africa, the publication showcases a range of innovative and impactful projects that have contributed to enhancing the livelihoods and resilience of vulnerable populations. It features examples from Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Somalia, Uganda and Zambia. The report explores how FAO’s initiatives have effectively integrated social protection with agriculture and rural development, addressing challenges such as food insecurity, poverty and climate change. Aimed at policymakers and practitioners, the publication’s intent is to foster knowledge-sharing, stimulate dialogue and encourage the replication of successful models in other countries and contexts.
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Objectives of the session:
To raise awareness among policy makers and key stakeholders, including regional bodies (AU, REC, etc.), farmers associations, civil society and academia of the potential benefits of leveraging coherent social protection and productive rural development interventions to build resilience and encourage inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa.

To identify ways in which synergies between social protection and productive rural development interventions can be enhanced in support of the transformation and modernization of agri-food systems in Africa.

To get inputs from civil society ensuring voices from women, youth and vulnerable groups at national and regional/community levels in the discussion on social protection needs of agri-food system actors, and understand the role they may play in increasing coherence.

To identify ways in which national social protection and agri-food policies and programmes can be designed or adapted to be more coherent and in order to support COVID-19 recovery and achievement of SDGs 1, 2 and 10.
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Social Protection and Women¹s Empowerment. Rural Transformations Information Note no.2
Social protection
2015

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Many social protection programmes, including cash transfers, safety-net oriented public works programmes and asset transfers, target women as main beneficiaries.