Working Paper 2

While macro-level data as well as sub-sector studies across a number of African countries suggest improvements in agricultural production over the past couple of decades, the extent to which such growth has been based on smallholder production and, as such, has affected smallholder food security and commercialisation is unknown (Wiggins, Keats and Sumberg 2015). The potential for evaluating the possibilities for pro-poor agricultural growth and the commercialisation pathways tied to such growth is hampered by a lack of longitudinal data that traces the evolution of smallholder consumption, food security, nutritional diversity and commercialisation over time. Moreover, while the regional (and sometimes even local) prospects for production as well as commercialisation are reported to vary widely, a regional approach to pro-poor agricultural growth is seldom taken. Finally, although studies of gendered time-use in agricultural production and its nutritional outcomes exist, few studies consider the links between food security, gender and pathways of commercialisation. This paper does not therefore focus on production as such, but explores the connection between commercialisation and food security. The analysis is based primarily on descriptive statistics; it does not aim to explore causal relations but rather to assemble data to elucidate changes over time in crosssectional patterns. The paper uses data from the Afrint database covering roughly 2,100 smallholders in six African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, surveyed in 2002, 2008 and 2013. It addresses key aspects of food and nutrition security and their linkages to commercialisation. Following a presentation of the data at the country level, regional comparisons will be made, discussing the linkages between food security outcomes and particular commercialisation pathways for the final wave of panel data (2008–13).ESR

Gendered dynamics of state-led smallholder commercialisation in Ghana. The case of Nkoranza traditional area

Commercial smallholder production is touted as a mechanism for reducing rural poverty and transforming African agriculture. In line with this ideology, the Ghanaian state introduced two policies to provide incentives for commercial food and tree crop cultivation among smallholder farmers. Policy implementation is done in a blanket manner without considerations of gendered differences in agricultural asset distribution, such as land, and the particular sociocultural opportunities and constraints men and women face in undertaking commercial production. The paper investigates these gendered trajectories using a qualitative methodology. Results reveal the varied nature of women's constraints and related levels of vulnerability. Although native women are structurally disadvantaged in commercial food crop production, tree crop commercialisation presents an opportunity for them to reclaim dormant land rights safeguarded by their male kin. These results provide perspective for considering gender-sensitive agricultural incentives as well as potential for leveraging on the tree crop sector for attaining gender neutrality

African farm trajectories and the sub-continental food crisis

This is a study of farm dynamics in eight African countries, drawing on a sample of more than 3000 farm households. It deals mainly with food crops and in detail with maize and makes a longitudinal analysis by systematically comparing current conditions with those obtaining when the farm was set up under its present management. From the study emerges an overall picture of inadequately exploited production potentials where farmers’ commercial energies are driven towards other food crops than grains, especially vegetables for urban markets. Commercial incentives in food grain production favour small groups of well-placed and usually male farmers, while, the lack of seed-fertiliser technology and commercial incentives means that smallholders devote their energies to other crops or to non-farm sources of income

Drills and Diets, Consumption and Conservation– the Role of Primate Meat in Local Diets in and Around Cross River National Park, Nigeria

The study uses household level data from four villages inand around Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria to assess therole of primate meat in local livelihoods and diets. Okwangwo is anenclave community within the national park, Butatong houses theCRNP headquarters. Kanyang1 and Abo Ebam are located fartheraway from the park. 149 respondents were surveyed. Sale ofbushmeat contributed 4 percent of total cash income on average, butis important as a source of protein in the context of poorly developedlivestock systems. 98 percent of the households ate bushmeat duringthe past year and 74 percent hunted for consumption. 77 percent atemeat from primates, although this varied from 53 percent in Butatongto 97 percent in Okwangwo. Differences emerge among the villageswith less reliance on bushmeat, less hunting and a dietary shifttowards poultry in Butatong. There is no correlation between incomelevels and consumption of primate meat. The overwhelming motivefor eating primate meat was taste preferences. Solutions tounsustainable extraction of primate meat must be sourced in relationto local consumption. Improving access to animal source foods,through widening the livestock basis of local agraria