An argument for place-based policies: The importance of local agro-economic, political and environmental conditions for agricultural policies exemplified by the Zambezi region, Namibia
Carolina Kiesel, Peter Dannenberg, Carolin Hulke, Jim Kairu, Javier Revilla Diez, Alexandra Sandhage‐Hofmann
Abstract
This article outlines the importance of place-based policies derived from knowledge on local realities. Through an analysis of maize policies and their impact on the Zambezi region, Namibia, we illustrate the constraining limitations of insufficiently place-based policies. We highlight the problems of current top-down policies of production promotion, value chain integration, and sector protection which barely integrate region-specific knowledge. We emphasize the importance of integrating knowledge on soil, climate, water conditions, production capacities, and local farming practices. Based on our analysis, we recommend a more knowledge- and place-based policy including a multidimensional perspective, adapted agricultural management, and open decentralized governance structures that engages region-specific agricultural, economic, political, and environmental knowledge.