Roles of Non-Governmental Organizations in Agricultural Development

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

• Primary objective: To improve the lives of people and communities, often focusing on social, economic, and environmental issues.
• Research focus: NGOs invest in agricultural research to develop new and improved crop varieties and livestock breeds that are more resilient, productive, and adapted to local conditions.
• Resource mobilization: NGOs play a crucial role in bringing together resources like funding, technology, training, and infrastructure to support farmers and agricultural development.
• Irrigation and drainage facilities: NGOs provide these facilities to improve water management practices, enhance crop yields, and increase farmer incomes.
• Non-function of NGOs in agricultural development: It is important to note that advocacy is a crucial part of the NGO landscape, not a function. NGOs often advocate for policy changes that benefit farmers and promote sustainable agriculture. However, advocating for changes to regulations within a local area isn't a direct function of an NGO in agricultural development.
• Characteristics of land as a factor of production: Land is a fixed factor of production, meaning its supply is limited, and it is essential for agricultural production.

Labour and Management in Production

• Specialized labour: Skilled labor requires specific training, education, or experience to perform a particular job effectively.
• Management/entrepreneurship in production: Management ensures efficient resource allocation, decision making, coordination, and innovation in the production process.

Fundamental Economic Principles

• Opportunity cost: The opportunity cost of a choice represents the value of the best alternative forgone when making that choice. This principle highlights the trade-offs involved in every economic decision.
• Inflation: When a country's government prints too much money, it leads to inflation, which is a general increase in prices for goods and services.