𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲

Agriculture has long been considered the backbone of many economies in the Global South. In countries where a significant portion of the population relies on farming for livelihood, the sector carries not only economic but also cultural and social weight. Yet, when a sector that employs the largest share of the national workforce contributes minimally to the Gross Domestic Product, it signals a deep structural disconnect that requires urgent attention.

The numbers speak clearly: large-scale engagement in agriculture does not automatically translate into productivity or profitability. This is not due to a lack of effort on the part of farmers, but rather the absence of a system that rewards production and supports value creation. The challenge lies in moving from subsistence farming to a commercial and sustainable agricultural economy. For many nations with similar profiles, this has been a long-standing issue – but it is not an impossible one.

A key problem is the fragmentation of land holdings and the dominance of smallholder farms. When most farmers operate on less than an acre, opportunities for mechanization, economies of scale, and value-added production are limited. Small farms can be productive, but only when supported by appropriate infrastructure and market systems. Without this support, they remain trapped in a cycle of low yield and low income.

Infrastructure – particularly access to roads, cold storage, grading units, and packaging facilities- plays a critical role in linking farms to markets. Even the best crops lose value if they cannot be transported efficiently or stored without spoiling. In many cases, the absence of such basic services leaves farmers vulnerable to local middlemen or forces them to sell in distress at unremunerative prices.

One of the most important lessons from successful agricultural transformations worldwide is the importance of value chains. Countries like Vietnam and Rwanda, once struggling with rural poverty and low productivity, have made notable progress by building robust agricultural value chains. In Vietnam, targeted investments in aquaculture, rice, and coffee production helped transform rural livelihoods. Critical to this success was the integration of smallholders into national and international markets through cooperatives and public-private partnerships.

Similarly, Rwanda’s approach to land use consolidation, cooperative farming, and investment in irrigation has significantly improved yields and incomes. Importantly, these reforms were coupled with training, access to finance, and the promotion of agribusinesses that create off-farm employment.

Market access and price security are also vital. If farmers are to invest in better inputs and sustainable practices, they must have confidence that their produce will fetch a fair price. Some countries have introduced price support or minimum support price systems, not as handouts, but as mechanisms to stabilise incomes and incentivise production.
Technology has a role to play, but only when contextually appropriate. Digital weather forecasting, mobile-based market information, and precision agriculture tools can empower farmers, but such interventions require training and reliable connectivity. Technology cannot substitute for foundational support like transport, storage, and fair pricing.

Moreover, youth engagement in agriculture will remain low as long as farming is seen as labour-intensive, low-income work. Attracting young people requires rebranding agriculture as a business- one that is innovative, tech-enabled, and profit-oriented. Incubation programs, rural entrepreneurship support, and agri-finance models can help bridge this perception gap.

Policy direction must shift from short-term input subsidies to long-term productivity strategies. This includes strengthening extension services, incentivising cooperatives, and removing bureaucratic hurdles that discourage agribusiness development. Policies must be driven by outcomes – not outputs – and grounded in evidence rather than political convenience.

Above all, agriculture must be treated as an economic opportunity, not merely as a social safety net. When viewed through the lens of economic transformation, farming becomes a pathway to reduce poverty, drive exports, and strengthen food security. But for this to happen, a new contract is needed- one that recognises the effort of farmers, rewards their productivity, and supports them from the field to the market.

Agriculture can thrive, but it needs more than words. It needs a vision backed by investment, coordination, and trust in the people who work the land. The choice is clear: continue to preserve the status quo of low output and high labour, or build a future where agriculture is truly a driver of inclusive and sustained economic growth.