Roads and Rural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Issue 5 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berg, Claudia N.; Blankespoor, Brian; Selod, Harris
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 54:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 856
• Page End: 874
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Développement économique -- Périodiques; Histoire économique -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pays en voie de développement -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2018.1430772
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

Abstract: This paper assesses the relationship between access to markets and land cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a geo-referenced panel over four decades (1970–2010) during which the road network was significantly improved, we find a modest impact of improved market accessibility on local cropland expansion – especially in places that are exposed to better agricultural production conditions – as well as suggestive evidence of an increase in the local intensity of cultivation. Suggestive evidence of a positive association between improved market accessibility and local GDP growth beyond the impact of cropland expansion could reflect the stimulation of non-agricultural activities.