Agriculture is often an important part of any country's economy. It not only serves to feed the country's population, but can also be an excellent export to other countries. We all know about Florida oranges, Idaho potatoes, and even Wisconsin cheese. These have become famous for their unique taste or perhaps just their market value, which is an important strategy for food products alongside transportation systems. For example, because ours in the United States are up to date, this allows us to obtain certain crops, such as rice from Japan, in a timely manner and at low cost. However, within SADC (Southern African Development Council) it is not so simple. Throughout this article, we will examine why this is happening from the past to the present, define agricultural development, and propose reasons why an adequate transportation system is necessary. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The history of African agricultural development can be broken down into four periods: precolonial, colonial, postcolonial, and current. There are similarities and differences between these periods that can provide insight into how Africa developed into the situations it faces today. Agriculture at this time was classified between subsistence farming and shifting cultivation due to low land population. All or most of the food was grown for consumption by farmers and others living nearby and was directly related to nutrition. At that time, transportation systems were virtually useless. During the colonial period, from 1880 to the mid-1960s, agriculture was radically changed from a situation of self-sufficiency to one on the brink of famine. Colonization imposed the cultivation of cash crops as well as several trade and tax policies. This agriculture is separated from nutrition, the backbone of African agriculture. The land had to be cultivated consistently, rather than seasonally, which was another way Europeans exploited Africans. At that time, transportation systems were designed to export raw materials from coastal areas and import manufactured goods. Before the arrival of the 1960s, a few countries became independent again and rushed toward industrialization in order to keep pace with the modern world. However, the economy continued to suffer because the agricultural products sold often did not return their real value. The "elites" resembled the Euro rule and favored imported products to satisfy appetites, as opposed to agriculture, which was considered humiliating and backward. Yet transportation needs were not met. Both the roads and the materials needed to build them were completely inadequate and, in some cases, did more harm than good. Agriculture is Africa's most important sector. Around 35% of GDP, 40% of exports and 75% of employment come from agriculture. However, data shows us that between 1981 and 1992, agricultural production per capita in SADC countries declined. Population has outpaced production and land use and further delayed the arrival of inadequate transportation systems. An appropriate definition of “inadequate” transport systems could be defined as: attempting to minimize the cost of inputs..