Page 20 - Economic transformation

Evidence from data and policy analysis as well as stakeholder consultations on

the CCA strongly supports the continued relevance of this current broad focus.

Returning to the economic analysis running through this chapter, good governance is

most likely to contribute – if not anchor- an acceptable inflation rate, boost foreign direct

investments (hence potentially improving the country’s balance of payments account and

is a necessary companion to practical population policies that enhance development

through, among other things, guaranteeing a minimum level of human capital

development, ensuring no one is left behind and nurturing peace – all important

ingredients to economic transformation.

Food security secures price stability and facilitates productivity by supporting good
health

No economy can transform on an empty stomach! Food security enhances

productivity because it directly contributes to good health. Like good governance, ‘food

security’ should not be interpreted narrowly. It therefore should include food production,

value addition, logistics, links with regional and global value chains as well as the

prevention and mitigation of malnutrition and hunger. The fact that the acceleration in

the country’s inflation over the last 7 years has coincided with a sharp decline in the

prominence of the Cropping industry is instructive.

Food security investments within that broad definition, therefore can contribute

to price stability by ensuring food availability and even significantly improve the

country’s balance of payments position through increased exports. To do so however

means extending investments across the agriculture, fisheries and forestry value chain

with an aim of bringing farmers closer to markets through improved logistics, improving

and extending sustainable farming, tackling gender constraints to agricultural

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