Southland

The "Southland case study" is designed for a group of participants in a course on agricultural policy to mobilize their knowledge and skills on a fictitious country simulating many of the problems faced by developing countries. Based on realistic information on the country, presented in a set of documents collected from various sources and on a set of statistical tables, participants are asked to prepare a note outlining the key policy and institutional issues faced by the country and make proposals on how they can be addressed. This case study, developed in the early 1990s, has evolved as the history of the fictitious "Southland" unfolded, following patterns similar to those of many developing countries. It has been successfully used on many occasions and in different locations. The material presented includes notes to participants and trainers, background information, studies, historical information, and a glossary of economic and institutional terminology.