Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Can linKing small- and
large-sCale Farmers
enhanCe adaptive
CapaCity?
Evidence from Tanzania's Southern
Agricultural Growth Corridor
Jennifer West
introduction
A central question in the adaptation-development nexus is if and how agricultural
investments that are undertaken as part of general development efforts can
enhance the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers and rural communities
in the context of climate change. There is growing recognition that agricultural
investments that include smallholder farmers as part of a core business strategy
may provide broad social and economic benefits (World Bank 2013; Vermeulen
and Cotula 2010). However, little is known about how particular agricultural
investment models affect the adaptive capacities of rural households and
communities. Tanzania provides an illustrative case of some of the challenges
that must be addressed if agricultural investments targeting smallholder farmers
are to support climate adaptation. Tanzania's National Adaptation Programme
of Action (NAPA) and National Climate Change Strategy identify agriculture
as the sector of the economy that is most vulnerable to climate change, with
agriculture and food security being priority arenas for adaptation efforts (URT
2012b; URT 2007). At the same time, Tanzania is seeking to modernize and
transform its agricultural sector through major initiatives that aim to attract
greater private sector investment in the country's agricultural sector.
The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) is
a prominent example of these initiatives. SAGCOT, which forms the policy
context for the discussion in this chapter, aims to set a benchmark for sustainable
and responsible agricultural investment and development in Africa, and has
attracted wide attention nationally and internationally (Jenkins 2012). A flagship
 
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