Transforming Poor Economies expertly proposes effective strategies for the development of agriculture and industry within lower income countries in Africa and Asia using insightful case studies to illustrate key findings. Keijiro Otsuka focuses on how to achieve the first and second Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using detailed analysis of how agriculture and industry have developed to eradicate poverty and hunger. Otsuka demonstrates that ultimately success is driven by technological and managerial innovation based on learning from abroad, and investment in human capital so that major decision-makers such as farmers and enterprise managers can facilitate innovation. Otsuka further argues that the use of welfare programs to support the livelihoods of these countries are unlikely to have transformative impacts and that agricultural and industrial development results in proven poverty reduction. Scholars of economics and development will find the books case studies both invaluable and informative. Practitioners and policymakers in development assistance and planning, particularly in Africa and Asia, will also find this an excellent resource for future planning. -- Jakob Kapeller, Heterodox Economics Newsletter I have always been impressed with Keijiro Otsukas consistent focus on practical policy-relevant issues of economic development and the need for researchers to understand reality on the ground before they will have much to contribute. This book is the culmination of decades of accumulated insight from field work and analysis of large-sample surveys. Among other things, it highlights the under-appreciated importance of management ability and the transfer of knowledge in explaining the rate of productivity growth in both agriculture and industry. -- Thomas Jayne, Michigan State University, US Keijiro Otsukas book, Transforming Poor Economies, like so many of his earlier publications, addresses the most fundamental questions facing developing nations: what works and what does not in developing countries around the world. The book explores Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa in both agriculture and industry and in the upstream and downstream sectors. This is a book that all of those interested in development should read! -- Scott D. Rozelle, Stanford University, US
