An evaluation of smallholder draught animal power systems was conducted in six study areas in Masvingo and Chivi districts of Masvingo province over two seasons 1999-2000 and 2000-2002. The objective was to investigate the effect of renovating animal-drawn ploughs and cultivators on field performance and on maize and cotton yields...

This study is based on fieldwork conducted in Ward 5 Guruve District of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. Conservation farming (CF) has been widely embraced as an antidote to the perennial food insecurity situation, bedeviling drought prone regions in Zimbabwe, such as Guruve district and in Africa at large. Despite widespread promotion...

This study quantifies how population density affects input use and output per hectare of staple crops. In doing so, we empirically test Ester Boserup’s (1965) hypothesis that increasing population density leads to agricultural intensification, measured through increased demand for modern inputs, such as commercial fertilizer and increased production per hectare....

As the Government of Brazil hosts Rio+20, attention also falls on the country’s role as a broker for such forms of South-South exchange, particularly on models which can deliver triple wins for the economy, society and the environment. A number of successes in reducing inequality, enhancing both social and productive...

The aim of this case study is to identify the lessons learnt from the various partnerships with CSOs that could be used by farmer organizations (FOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in influencing resource allocation and therefore the research agenda of ASARECA and indeed that of other African subregional agricultural research...

A study was conducted to assess the potential of establishing small-scale dairy processing schemes that would bring development and economic growth, alleviate poverty and enhance the standards of life of the Namibian livestock rearing population. Lessons were deducted from the Zimbabwe Smallholder Dairy Development Program (DDP). Secondary data was collected...

This study examined the impact of improved rice varieties adoption on rice productivity and farming households’ welfare in Nigeria using a cross sectional data of 481 rice farmers drawn from three states to represent the major rice producing ecologies (Irrigated, upland and lowland) in Nigeria. Access to seed was found...

The Mozambique Marine Science Country Profile is produced within the framework of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) - Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) co-operation and as a contribution to the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) programme. The MSCP has also been prepared for the following other countries...

Using a three-year panel survey data of 5,907 livestock owners in rural Zambia, this study provides empirical evidence on why there are low levels of livestock market participation in Zambia. In addition, the study examines the factors influencing cattle market dynamics in the survey period. In particular, it looks at...

Per capita food production in Africa has been declining over the last two decades, contrary to global trends due to soil fertility decline. The study sought to determine factors that influence adoption and utilization of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies by smallholder farmers in central Kenya. Two hundred and...

The P4P Primer describes the evolution of the P4P pilot during the first three years of implementation. It provides the internal and external background and context for P4P, reviews P4P in detail (including discussions of its theoretical foundations, main components and underlying assumptions), and describes selected topics in the design...

Selon l'auteur, faire du Foncier un fait économique total, et du capital le moteur du développement, c’est donner un blanc-seing à la marchandisation de la terre .D'où les questions qu'elle se pose: Faut-il vraiment que le Mali cède ses terres agricoles et ses ressources foncières pour accéder au développement? Pour...

This issue of Nature & Faune aims at highlighting the complexity of the interface between forest and agriculture in Africa. The editorial presents agroforestry, as a useful linkage between forestry and agriculture for increased productivity in agriculture and forestry. It recognizes the limitations of agroforestry at the current stage of...

 Colloque « Genre et agriculture familiale paysanne. Regards Nord-Sud. Débats entre mondes académique, du développement et de la formation »: au Sénégal, 60% des personnes travaillant dans l’agriculture vivrière familiale sont des femmes. Dans ce domaine elles assurent près de 70% des opérations culturales (semis, sarclages, binages, récoltes ) et...

Happy Shongwe, a smallholder farmer from Swaziland, talks about her successful business of growing and selling legume seeds.

This study is motivated by the need to understand the nature and magnitude of land constraints in African agriculture, the impacts of status-quo policies on food security and poverty, and the implications for development strategy. To our knowledge, there has been little recognition of the potential challenges associated with increasingly...

Indigenous knowledge systems of livestock care and health care is the only asset in the hands of the small holder farmers to mitigate the impact of climate change on livestock production. This study explores the role of indigenous knowledge systems of livestock care and veterinary care in the face of...

Food insecurity is common place among 44% (six million) of Zambian population. Conservation agriculture (CA) is an option being promoted to address this problem. There is little evidence showing whether CA adopters are better than non-CA adopters in terms of food security. Using a four years panel data, focus group...

This study assesses the alleged livelihoods benefits of conservation agriculture for smallholder farmers. These benefits include improving productivity, household income, food security and subsequently alleviating poverty. First, the benefits of conservation agriculture in southern Africa as reported in the literature were reviewed. Then empirical data was collected in the communities...

African policymakers need to act now to steer urbanization from its current, unsustainable path toward healthy, greener cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens. This report highlights a key component of sustainable urban development: urban and peri-urban horticulture...