Poonyth, D.Hassan, Rashid M.Kirsten, Johann F.Calcaterra, M.2007-05-312007-05-312001-06Poonyth, D., Hassan, R., Kirsten, J.F. & Calcaterra, M. Is agricultural sector growth a precondition for economic growth? The case of South Africa. Agrekon, 40(2), 269-279. [http://www.aeasa.org.za]0303-1853http://hdl.handle.net/2263/2576For more information on the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa or subscription to Agrekon, visit http://www.aeasa.org.zaIn this paper a simple growth model is adapted to explain the effect of the agricultural sectors' growth on the non-agricultural sector. The empirical results suggest that for a 1% growth in the agricultural sector, the non-agricultural sector responds by more than 1%. The results also confirm that productivity difference exists, the non-agricultural sector being more efficient in terms of input use. The empirical results supports the argument of President T. Mbeki, that South Africa should follow an 'agricultural-led' growth strategy for successful development.465070 bytesapplication/pdfenAEASAAgricultural growthAgriculture -- Economic aspectsEconomic developmentArticle