A Strategy for Agricultural Development in Angola

This paper presents an analysis of the Angolan agricultural sector together with a
review of the principal constraints to development. A set of recommendations are
presented as to possible policies and investments that would help to promote growth. Emphasis is placed both on the aftereffects of the decades long civil war that ended in 2002 as well as the distortions that result from Angola’s status as an oil exporter. This report was written to form the basis for a discussion with the Government of Angola regarding its policies toward rural areas and the agricultural sector. The report summarizes the current situation in agriculture and discusses the various constraints and policy options facing the government as it seeks to rehabilitate and develop production. It should be noted that what is presented here is not all that might be included under the headings, “rural development” and “food security”, since these encompass social sectors, infrastructure, commercial as well as productive sectors. This report will focus primarily on how to reactivate the rural economy and with it the ability of rural people to assure themselves and the country of food security in a sustainable way. Given the natural resources and population of Angola, this clearly implies a heavy emphasis on agriculture, since it is both the primary means of support for most and also of key importance in reactivating the non-mineral economy in general.