Why it's wrong
Often used too broadly to describe African small-scale farming as purely survival-based, disconnected from markets, and lacking growth potential, diminishing the economic importance of smallholder agriculture.
What's actually true
Many African farmers produce food for their households and sell part of their harvest. Smallholders represent about 80% of farms in sub-Saharan Africa and produce roughly 90% of the food in the region. FAO distinguishes between subsistence farming and smallholder farming, many farmers move along that continuum rather than fitting neatly into one category.
Don't say · Say instead
Don't say
“People rely on subsistence farming.”
Say instead
“People rely on smallholder agriculture.”
Shorthand: Smallholder agriculture
Sources
- 01.fao.org
- 02.worldbank.org