Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2004. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2004 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of (a) employment, (b) exports and (c) gross national income in (i) Mozambique, (ii) Malawi and (iii) Lesotho is accounted for by agriculture. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of (a) employment, (b) exports and (c) gross national income in (i) Mozambique, (ii) Malawi and (iii) Lesotho is accounted for by agriculture. [155407] Hilary Benn: The SADC 2000 Human Development Report suggests that in 1990 the percentage of the labour force deriving its primary source of income from agriculture was 87 per cent. in Malawi, 83 per cent. in Mozambique and 40 per cent. in Lesotho (where only 10 per cent. of the land area is suitable for cultivation). These figures are broadly in line with more recent assessments in the three countries. In all three countries, a higher percentage of households derive at least some of their livelihood from farming. Agriculture contributes 93 per cent. of export earnings in Malawi, 6 per cent. in Mozambique and 1 per cent. in Lesotho. Agriculture represents 33 per cent. of GDP in both Malawi and Mozambique, and 18 per cent. in Lesotho.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c96-7W; 155407
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Agriculture Africa Employment Exports National income Mozambique Malawi Lesotho
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk