ABSTRACT
A key strand of thinking about African food security problems comes from research conducted by development economists and geographers working in the UK. The keystone of the UK paradigm is participation: 'A dictatorial "transformation approach" to development initiatives replaced with a more democratic form of development which has Africans, both rural and urban, as its main focus and genuinely seeks to fulfil their needs and aspirations'. The plank of the UK paradigm is the concept of 'diverse livelihoods'. There is a 'diversity in agro-ecological conditions and socio-economic circumstances' which makes it unwise to reach for 'tailor-made recommendations'. A diverse livelihood strategy is the most rational way to proceed. Projects helps the rural poor with particular aspects of their diverse strategy rather than trying to find the one cure-all solution. The South African situation is unique. No other African government affords generous welfare provision. Accordingly in other African countries the continuation of subsistence agriculture is not negotiable for the poor.
