Rural Africa

This chapter begins by addressing the issue of land tenure arrangements, which plays a fundamental role in determining the nature of rural livelihoods, such as agriculture, pastoralism, fishing and forestry. It reviews the key characteristics and challenges inherent in a range of common livelihood strategies, but it is important to emphasize the spatial and temporal dynamism of rural life. However, the chapter sector tends to make up agriculture’s greater contribution to Gross Domestic Product, and this is set to increase as large areas of rural Africa are leased or sold to foreign-owned agribusinesses. Although media and fast transport may be lacking, it is surprising how quickly news and information about market trends and prices travels through rural Africa. In terms of livelihood outcomes, therefore, achieving food security remains the primary concern for the vast majority of rural Africans

Geography · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology · Religion, Society, and Development · Tourism, Volunteerism, and Development