FARMING

Crop Production and Road Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa : A Spatial Analysis

Authors
Dorosh, Paul; Wang, Hyoung-Gun; You, Liang; Schmidt, Emily;
Publisher
World Bank, Africa Region, Sustainable Development Division
Publication date
Location
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2010/07/28/000158349_20100728133128/Rendered/PDF/WPS5835.pdf
Source / Citation
Dorosh, Paul, Hyoung-Gun Wang, Liang You, and Emily Schmidt. (2008). Crop Production and Road Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Spatial Analysis. Working Paper 19, Washington, D.C, Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic, World Bank.

This study examines the relationship between transport infrastructure and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa using new data obtained from geographic information systems (GIS). First, the authors analyze the impact of road connectivity on crop production and choice of technology. Second, they explore the impact of investments that reduce road travel times. Finally, they show how this type of analysis can be used to compare cost-benefit ratios for alternative road investments in terms of agricultural output per dollar invested.