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At the University of Paris Nanterre, Pierre Grappin Building B (room B015 René Rémond), Elizavetta Dorinet will defend her thesis "Agriculture and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa", under the supervision of Mr. Pierre-André Jouvet (Professor, University of Paris Nanterre) and Mr. Julien Wolfersberger (Senior Lecturer, AgroParisTech).

Abstract:

In 2050, Sub-Saharan Africa will have the challenge of feeding nearly 2.5 billion people, while agricultural productivity in this region remains low. Understanding the factors that constrain agricultural development is therefore a major concern. This thesis highlights two important elements. First, dependence on extractive resources can be a major constraint to agricultural expansion. There is a competitive effect between the exploitation of these two commodities, which is more important for countries that are favourably predisposed to agricultural development (fertile, abundant land). Secondly, it is important to consider the synergies between the agricultural sector and access to electricity, since the latter allows for an increase in agricultural productivity. It is also important to continue to better understand the underlying mechanisms between electrification and irrigation system deployment.