Agriculture, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction

Summary

Working Paper, April 2022 Researchers in the tradition of economic history are generally clear on the key role of agriculture in economic growth, as a first element in the economic development of nations. This “agriculture-first” hypothesis has been a core theme in economic thinking over centuries. However, current preconditions for economic growth and for national economic development have changed. Trade, transportation, and technological progress, together with shifting international rules for trade and investment, have both opened for, and forced new ways of economic integration at regional and global levels.