Tropentag, September 10 - 12, 2025, Bonn "Reconciling land system changes with planetary health"

Beyond the farm: unlocking employment and livelihoods in Africa’s evolving food systems

Michigan State University, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, United States

Abstract

As Africa’s food systems transform, so do the opportunities beyond traditional farming. This keynote explores the nature and dynamism of employment opportunities along multiple nodes of food supply chains (e.g., input supply, agri-food processing, logistics, wholesale, and retail)—segments that now outpace on-farm jobs in creating livelihoods across both rural and urban areas. With a focus on the vital role of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), the address sheds light on the potential for midstream and downstream segments to drive inclusive economic growth and reduce poverty across the continent.

Keywords: Rural, urban

Contact Address: Lenis Saweda Liverpool-Tasie, Michigan State University, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, East Lansing, United States, e-mail: lliverpmsu.edu