Structural change in Malawi since independence: Consequences of a development strategy based on large-scale agriculture

This paper investigates the nature of the structural change which has occured in the Malawian economy since independence and identifies key policies pursued by the government which it is argued have been decisive in shaping this development. The salient feature of structural change is shown to be the rapid growth of large-scale agriculture, associated with an equally rapid transfer of labour into wage employment and a decline in the importance of peasant production. The implications of these changes for living standards and future development and policy are considered.