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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:China's role in African agriculture
Author:Cassell, Donald L.
Year:2012
Periodical:Liberian Studies Journal (ISSN 0024-1989)
Volume:37
Issue:2
Pages:78-115
Language:English
Geographic terms:Africa
China
Subjects:agriculture
international cooperation
foreign investments
Abstract:Agriculture is central to African development. Experiences of other nations have shown that efficient food production leads to wealth creation and an increase in the quality of life. This article explores China's engagement with African agriculture and China's strategic thinking behind this. China's engagement presents perhaps Africa's biggest economic opportunity in history. China is not only openinging new lands for development and setting up agricultural plantations, but also has an interest, and in some cases a preference, for working with small holders, which is a good way to enfold small holders into the process of increased productivity and growth. China's ambitious policy of marrying aid to business has generated tangible material value on both sides and has contributed to reforming African agriculture from degraded and hopeless to a landscape of opportunity and promise. The author stresses the importance of African leadership, like Chinese leadership, having a strategic vision on Chinese-African relationships. African policy makers would be wise to assess risks and opportunities of the current engagements so as to appreciate any significant vulnerability dealing with China as a great world power. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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