ABSTRACT
THIS CHAPTER 1 Describes how the sources of agricultural growth tend to change as
development occurs, and considers how theories of agricultural development have changed over time
2 Presents the theory of induced innovation as applied to agriculture and its implications for the types of technologies generated and for institutional change
3 Discusses how transactions costs and collective action may alter the direction of technical change, with implications for asset distribution
THEORIES of AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT We have discussed the importance of agricultural development for solving the world food-income-population problem. We have considered the nature and diversity of existing agricultural systems in developing nations. We now need to consider means for improving these systems to increase agriculture’s contribution to human welfare. In this chapter, we provide an overview of agricultural development theories and strategies. In subsequent chapters we examine in more detail the individual components of the basic strategies outlined here. Our overriding concern is to identify strategies that facilitate growth with equity. We
explore why agricultural development has occurred in some countries and why it has not (or has proceeded very slowly) in others.
