This paper focuses on the improvement of statistics on agriculture producer prices. The agricultural sector is even more vital in Africa where the majority of the population live and depend on this sector and its improvement is specially essential, in order to improve the socio-economic conditions of the majority of the African population.

The main objective of the symposium was to assess the performance of Farming Systems Research (FSR) in the sub-region in terms of new knowledge generated, technical agricultural research results, research methods and techniques, multi-disciplinary practices, the participation of farmers and extension workers in the research process, and the degree of institutionalization of the approach itself. An additional objective of the symposium was to identify priority areas and themes for collaborative research projects and research funding requests in the sub-region.

In Africa, agriculture is the most important sector in national economies. About 80 per cent of the active population works in agriculture. Further, apart from few exceptions, agriculture makes up more than 50 percent of gross national product. Nevertheless, Africa remains the only region in the world in which agricultural production declined between 1970 and 1980, when the growth rate was less than 2 per cent and moreover the gross national product (GNP) per head is one of the lowest in the world.

Le présent rapport a pour objectif d'examiner les résultats obtenus, de recenser les expériences novatrices et de fournir un cadre de discussion pour l'avenir. Cette politique s'expliquait par les choix politiques des dirigeants nationaux, le désir des gouvernements de pays nouvellement indépendants d'innover et d'agir rapidement, la nécessite d'apaiser les groupes de pression intérieurs, et, quelquefois, le manque de données fiables sur l'efficacité de ces systèmes au niveau de l'exploitation agricole.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the progress that has been achieved, identify innovatory experience and provide a frame for discussion on where to go next. Particular attention will be given to the benefits accruing to small farmers and livestock producers, particularly women. It will deal with policies and programmes in input supply and the provision of credit subject to the continuing constraints on the use of foreign exchange and government finance still prevailing m most African countries.

The present paper was prepared as part of the work programme of food and agriculture for the 1988-1989 biennium. It constitutes element 2.4 on multinational co-operation on livestock development in Africa and it focuses on the performance of the sector in the face of government intervention and the structural adjustment programmes (SAP). The effect of the SAP on the achievement of increased collective self-sufficiency and self-reliance in animal food production and supply was given particular attention.

CONTENTS: Introduction; Emphasizing agriculture in economic development -- is it a risky business? / John W.

Deze literatuurstudie beoogt theorieen te inventariseren en te beoordelen, die een verklaring kunnen geven van veranderingen van het grondgebruik in het landelijk gebied