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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Explaining Africa's rural poverty |
Author: | Ochwada, Hannington |
Year: | 1995 |
Periodical: | Journal of Eastern African Research and Development |
Volume: | 25 |
Pages: | 204-209 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs. |
Geographic terms: | Subsaharan Africa Africa |
Subjects: | rural poverty rural development poverty |
Abstract: | The proportion of the rural population in sub-Saharan Africa whose income and consumption fall below nationally defined poverty lines is estimated at 60 percent. The causes of poverty must be sought in a number of closely interlinked socioeconomic processes. National policies and institutions often have built-in biases which exclude the African rural poor from the benefits of development and accentuate the impact of other poverty processes. Moreover, poverty has been caused by the dualistic pattern of development initiated during colonialism and apparently sustained by present-day State policies. Poverty is exacerbated by the State's desire to create a revenue base and the configuration of local class forces. Rapid population increase, poor resource management, natural phenomena, and the marginalization of women, as well as international factors (decline in export earnings, dependence on foreign aid) have all further contributed to the process of poverty in Africa. The first step in overcoming poverty lies in its proper conceptualization. Above all, it is necessary to recognize and enhance the productive potential of the rural poor. Ref., sum. |