Agriculture as an Exporter

Abstract

The Rhodesian economy has many different characteristics. In some sectors we can find a degree of development and sophistication that ranks with the most developed regions of the world; in others our economy has all the manifestations of underdevelopment. The one overriding characteristic that possibly warrants the classification of our economy as underdeveloped, is the large part that agriculture continues to play in the economic life of Rhodesia. Not only is agriculture the predominant activity of our African population, but it also plays a very important part in the more commercially orientated sectors of the economy. As a primary industry which contributes 17 per cent to the gross Domestic Product, agriculture occupies a position of importance to the economy that is not now found in South Africa or in other more developed regions. A poor agricultural season has the capacity in Rhodesia to retard severely the growth rate of the economy. The industry’s demands for goods and services, as well as its role as a source of raw materials and food, form the basis of much of Rhodesian commercial and industrial activity. Agriculture’s role as an exporter further emphasises its importance to the Rhodesian economy, but unfortunately under present circumstances we can only deal with this aspect of the industry in the most general terms.