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Book (series)Technical studyPromotion of sustainable commercial aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Volume 2: Investment and economic feasibility 2002
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This volume of the report on the promotion of sustainable commercial aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa discusses the difficult access to investment capital, one of the major obstacles to the development of sustainable commercial aquaculture in the region. The problem arises from a lack of collateral, excessively high interest rates on loans, bankers' perceptions that aquaculture carries a particularly high risk of failure, a lack of knowledge, by farmers, of the modalities of applying for loans and a lack or limited information, on the part of lenders, of commercially successful aquaculture enterprises in the region. While some of the lenders' perceptions are valid, particularly in instances where the industry is not yet established and difficulties could occur as a result of local unavailability of necessary inputs, the market is untested and there are no examples of commercial success that could offer an indication of viability, preliminary evidence seems to indicate that banks tend to exaggerate the likelihood of failure of commercial aquaculture projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Borrowers need to be able to formulate and present their business proposals in a precise and concise manner that effectively offers the lender a comprehensive picture of the proposed business, communicates how they expect to profit from the proposed enterprises and generate the funds for the repayment of the loans sought. The problem of collateral could be tackled through the use of “no-collateral” strategies such as group lending, village banks and solidarity groups, alternative collaterals such as titled land and moveable property, which in many cases bespeaks the need for legal and regulatory reforms and through government loan guarantees. When affordable, government loan guarantees and subsidized interest rates could also be used to lessen the problem of high interest rates. -
DocumentWorking paperLarge Agricultural Investments and Inclusion of Small Farmers: Lessons of Case Studies in 7 Countries
Executive Summary
2012Also available in:
No results found.In order to check and promote the positive synergies between private companies and rural households, an analysis of past and ongoing experiences of contract farming is required. It represents the main objective of this report. The objectives of this study are to: describe the effects of contract farming schemes, characterize the factors limiting or promoting these various impacts, identify key findings to promote the emergence of positive synergies. The study’ considers a long-term time scale (10 to 50 years) and pays particular attention to changes in agricultural farming, production systems, access to markets and governance patterns of value chains. The study also analyzes how crops initially introduced thanks to contract farming schemes develop “off contract” and induce new value chain. The study focuses on seven countries - Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, South-Africa, Laos and Indonesia – and major commodities such as: oil palm, rubber tree, fruits and vegetables, cere als, cotton and sugar cane. It is organized into 4 sections: i) the contract schemes, ii) the effects of these schemes, iii) the factors determining the nature and intensity of these effects and iv) key findings to promote positive synergies. Case studies are briefly presented in the appendix. -
Book (stand-alone)Technical bookGlobal macro-economic factors and key drivers impacting global food price volatility, domestic food prices, affordability, and accessibility of food
A paper produced for the G20 Taskforce on Food Security under the Presidency of South Africa
2025Also available in:
No results found.Global food prices became again a concern for policy makers in 2020. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was followed closely by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, posing two successive shocks to the global economy and agricultural markets in the context of recurrent weather adverse conditions. These events contributed to the deterioration of global food security. The FAO Food Price Index reached its highest historical level in March 2022, and while international food prices have since declined, they have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The international community, including the G20, used several policy instruments to respond to these shocks. These included monetary, financial and trade policies.The present paper was prepared by FAO at the request of the G20 Presidency of the Republic of South Africa to inform the deliberations of the G20 Taskforce on Food Security in 2025. It discusses the drivers behind recent food price movements and inflation, their pass-through to domestic markets and puts forward policy responses that can help mitigate these effects. The present paper draws from previous FAO work and contains some findings from the 2025 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World – Addressing high food price inflation for food security and nutrition (SOFI 2025). For an extended analysis on this topic, readers may wish to refer to SOFI 2025.
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Book (series)FlagshipThe State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025
Addressing high food price inflation for food security and nutrition
2025While some progress and recovery have been made in recent years, the world is still above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and far from eradicating hunger and food insecurity by 2030 (SDG Target 2.1). Similarly, despite some progress in the global nutrition targets, the world is not on track to achieve SDG Target 2.2. Among other factors, persistent food price inflation has slowed this momentum.The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 highlights how elevated inflation in many countries has undermined purchasing power and, especially among low-income populations, access to healthy diets. The report documents how high food price inflation is associated with increases in food insecurity and child malnutrition. Vulnerable groups, including low-income households, women, and rural communities, can be particularly affected by food price inflation, risking setbacks in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.In response to these challenges and to prevent future price shocks, the report examines policy measures adopted by countries, and outlines what is necessary going forwards. It stresses the importance of coherent implementation of fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize markets, promote open and resilient trade, and protect vulnerable populations. Additionally, it calls for better data systems and sustained investment in resilient agrifood systems to build long-term food security and nutrition. These coordinated actions are vital to reignite progress towards ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030. -