Showing papers by "Luc Christiaensen published in 2020"
TL;DR: In this article, the role of agriculture as a source of employment in the future is discussed, and several policy options, including inclusive value chain development, better immigration policies, social insurance schemes, and ramp up in agricultural education and extension are reviewed.
Abstract: As countries develop (and food saturation takes hold), agriculture's role as domestic employer declines. But the broader agri-food system also expands, and the scope for agriculture-related job creation shifts beyond the farm. Historically, technological revolutions have shaped and been shaped by these dynamics. Today, a digital revolution is taking hold, affecting agricultural labor and skill demands. In this process, societies evolve from having a surplus to a shortage of domestic farm labor, typically met largely by foreign agricultural wage workers. Yet, anti-immigration sentiments are flying high in migrant-destination countries, and robots in the fields and packing plants offer an alternative. Agricultural trade may be similarly challenged. In the world's poorest countries, particularly in Africa, labor productivity in agriculture remains at historically low levels. So, what can the role of agriculture as a source of employment be in the future? This viewpoint elaborates on these trends and reviews several policy options, including inclusive value chain development, better immigration policies, social insurance schemes, and ramp up in agricultural education and extension.
12 citations
29 Apr 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify approaches for development practitioners and policymakers to better integrate poor smallholders into agricultural value chains, and develop a conceptual framework to guide policy choices in using inclusive agricultural value chain development for better job creation.
Abstract: This Jobs Solutions Note identifies approaches for development practitioners and policymakers to better integrate poor smallholders into agricultural value chains. Based on curated knowledge and evidence for a specific topic and relevant to jobs, the Jobs Solutions Notes are not intended to be exhaustive; they provide key lessons, solutions and approaches synthesized from the experiences of the World Bank Group and partners. This Note develops a conceptual framework to guide policy choices in using inclusive agricultural value chain development for better job creation in the rural space. As the agricultural iVCD agenda is still nascent and rigorous empirical evidence incipient, it refrains from nuts-and-bolts operational guidance on how to do this.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the effects of an intervention in Tanzania, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses of maize growing farmers during maize storage, and found that neither training nor the opportunity to purchase an improved storage had a significant effect on maize storage and sales behavior, physical PHL during storage, or the quality of the stored maize.
Abstract: Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) are considered to pose important economic losses for farmers in developing countries. This paper examines the effects of an intervention in Tanzania, aimed at reducing PHL of maize growing farmers during maize storage. Farmers were invited to attend a training on best practices in post-harvest maize management, and a randomized subset of trainees received the opportunity to buy an improved storage facility (silos) at a substantially discounted price. Data collected at 30 days and 90 days after harvest, however, do not point to significant impacts of the treatments offered to the farmers. Receiving training on best practices improved stated knowledge, but training nor the opportunity to purchase an improved storage had a significant effect on maize storage and sales behavior, physical PHL during storage, or the quality of the stored maize. The paper explores potential explanations, and provides some policy recommendations for future learning and decision-making on how to address PHL issues in developing countries.
1 citations