Stuctural adjustment program, agricultural production and food security in Sub-Saharian Africa: specific case of S. Tomé e Principe

Doutoramento em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaThe impact of the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) caused profound changes in the society of S. Tomé and Principe. This work addresses the study of food security and it’s interdependence with the SAP. In this context we study the technological and institutional changes in production systems, consumption of foods, and agricultural and food markets. The study focuses on the effects of the first decade after the implementation of SAP and their evolution. In the early chapters we define the objectives, priorities and areas of research, methods and methodology, including the main hypotheses to be tested and development model to be used. Throughout the work we show the effects of implementing SAP in macroeconomic indicators (GDP, demographics, inflation, index of consumer prices, trade balance and payment). Food security was studied, including consumption trends, the nutritional status and functioning of markets. The most consumed products by the population and the major food and nutritional needs were identified. It was shown a significant positive impact on food security at family level, with local production improvement. Finally, considerations were made towards improving quality of the life of the population, and towards the definition of food and development policies more adjusted to the reality of the country