ABSTRACT
It is now generally agreed that reforms of pricing and market policies are not enough on their own to solve the agricultural growth and social problems of structurally weak countries from the supply side. It is particularly clear from structural adjustment programmes (i.e. the prescribed liberalization of markets, the reduction of government subsidies and the raising of agricultural producer prices and of currency devaluations) in the poor countries of Africa that social destabilization may become more deeply rooted without sustained growth of production occurring. The accompanying political destabilization may be accepted in countries with a dictatorial bent, but a reform-induced deterioration of the situation of the poor majority of the population is unacceptable.
