I don't agree with his comments on Africa as to food imports. He says that
Western protectionism would not hurt Africans, as this would make Africans
focus on food production. But this is not necessarily so. Western protectionism
in some ways does hurt Africa. Freer trade is not necessarily "globalist."
It is curious how much talk is made about helping Africa but when it comes to
actually opening up more trade then the conversation changes. Many in the West prefer
to give aid handouts and or have Africa in debt through a variety of mechanisms,
(some of which have to be taken on to get the aid handouts), before it will open
up those trade pathways that can raise African incomes. In some quarters,
Africans in debt dependency are preferred to independent Africans getting
paid with the fruits of their exports. Debt-dependent Africans means the bankstas
get paid and tighten their control.
Africa can do BOTH basic food production AND raise its incomes substantially
if the West allows in more African agri imports. This after all is how many
Western nations and Asian nations raised their incomes- via exports.
The "Asian tigers" for example took off through export-led growth- and
later on moved away from cheap goods to more sophisticated. Nothing
wrong with this. America grew significantly via massive exports of grains, timber,
metal ores etc etc in various eras. Even today these make up key export
sectors. Too many people assume US manufacturing muscle just sprung up,
and forget about the deep foundations laid in exports of agriculture
and primary products.
Today US and European governments subsidize farmers NOT to plant crops,
or cows NOT to produce milk and butter, etc, etc. People are getting paid
NOT to farm.Then there is massive diversion of production to things like bio-fuels.
Look at the millions of tons of corn not reaching tables but going into biofuels.
Furthermore Western governments subsidies are used to undermine local African
agriculture. In the link below subsidized Western powdered milk is helping wipe
out local dairy production. Subsidies are not staying in the West. The cash is
being used overseas.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6256274And food shortages in Africa are not necessarily a result of food lacking per se.
Transportation is a big problem- getting foods distributed to markers. Another
problem is government policies hindering farmers, lack of investment in things
that will help farmers. Why for example should multi-millions go to "prestige" national
airlines or "prestige" sports stadiums, where large amounts of cash are skimmed off
by corrupt elites? Or where the same money spent on "prestige" can instead create thousands
of small roads to help farmers move their produce, or provide thousands of small vehicles
and farm machinery inputs localized to help farmers best? Or support rather than handicap
farmers with gubment policies? There are a lot of examples that can be given.
Korten has a number of good points but some of what he says needs a closer look.
ARTICLES
European Union Polices Block African Agricultural Exportswww.worldhunger.org/articles/africa/actsa.htmUSDA Gives Millions to Farmers Who Aren’t Actually Farmingdailysignal.com/2012/07/09/usda-gives-millions-to-farmers-who-arent-actually-farming/