A Primer on Development Economics

This book explores how to achieve the first two Sustainable Development Goals—Zero Hunger and No Poverty—through effective development strategies in agriculture and industry. To eliminate hunger, increased food production is essential. To reduce poverty, expanding job opportunities through industrialization is key. The author presents a consistent analytical framework supported by a rich collection of case studies conducted over the past 40 years in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Written in plain language, the book is accessible to readers without a background in economics, making its insights widely applicable and easy to grasp.

Three fundamental development strategies are proposed for poor economies:

Innovation through Learning: Learning technology and management practices from advanced countries, often with necessary adaptation to local conditions and resource endowments, is a fundamental first step for development.
Investment in Human Capital: Strengthening the capabilities of key decision-makers—farmers in agriculture and managers in industry—is crucial for driving progress.
Training and Knowledge Spillovers: To internalize the benefits of innovation, training programs led by governments or producer collectives are essential for spreading new knowledge effectively.


This book is a valuable resource for policymakers, development practitioners, and anyone interested in practical approaches to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.


Keijiro Otsuka is Distinguished Honorary Professor of Kobe University, Japan.