Small Farmers, Big Change

Small Farmers, Big Change

Author: David Wilson

Publisher: Practical Action Publishing

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781853397127

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This book includes examples of achieving wider change in smallholder agriculture, through influencing policy decisions, linking smallholders to value chains, innovating service provision for small farmers, with an emphasis on promoting equitable livelihoods and developing rural women's economic leadership.


Smart Technologies for Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture

Smart Technologies for Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture

Author: David Chikoye

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2017-04-07

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13: 0128105224

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Smart Technologies for Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture: Upscaling in Developing Countries defines integrated climate smart agricultural technologies (ICSAT) as a suite of interconnected techniques and practices that enhance quantity and quality of agricultural products with minimum impact on the environment. These ICSAT are centered on three main pillars, increased production and income, adaptation and resilience to climate change, and minimizing GHG emissions. This book brings together technologies contributing to the three pillars, explains the context in which they can be scaled up, and identifies research and development gaps as areas requiring further investigation. It stresses the urgency in critically analyzing and recommending ICSAT and scaling out the efforts of both developing and disseminating these in an integrated manner. The book discusses, synthesizes, and offers alternative solutions to agriculture production systems and socio-economic development. It brings together biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines in evaluating suitable ICSAT in an effort to help reduce poverty and food insecurity. Highlights the research gaps and opportunities on climate smart agricultural technologies and institutional arrangements Provides information on institutional engagements that are inclusive of value chain actors that support partnerships and the development of interactive platforms Elaborates some of the effects of climate extremes on production and socioeconomic development on small farms whose impact has potentially large impact


The role of small and medium agrifood enterprises in rural transformation – The case of rice processors in Kenya

The role of small and medium agrifood enterprises in rural transformation – The case of rice processors in Kenya

Author: ?Ilie, E.T., Hickey, A., Kelly, S.

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2022-03-20

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13: 9251358818

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This study looks at the business models of small and medium sized rice processors in Kenya in order to better understand the policy and technical support they need to grow and fulfil their role in agrifood systems transformation. More specifically, by employing semi-structured interviews with Kenyan rice millers, the technical study identifies challenges in their day-to-day business activities, including procurement, inbound and outbound logistics, in-house operations, financing, and human resources management. Additionally, the publication looks at opportunities for improving the business enabling environment in which these enterprises operate, providing a set of policy options to foster their role. The methodology cross fertilises different disciplinary perspectives in order to gather evidence for formulating policy in a way that integrates several policy fields and cross-cutting issues such as food safety, quality and nutrition; farmer-market linkages; decent rural employment and gender equality; or rural investment. The paper showcases how small and medium agrifood manufacturers respond to the business enabling environment and also contribute to local development from multiple angles.


Agricultural extension in transition worldwide

Agricultural extension in transition worldwide

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2020-04-01

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9251322945

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This publication contains twelve modules which cover a selection of major reform measures in agricultural extension being promulgated and implemented internationally, such as linking farmers to markets, making advisory services more demand-driven, promoting pluralistic advisory systems, and enhancing the role of advisory services within agricultural innovation systems. The reform issues consider the changing roles of the various public, private and non-governmental providers, and highlights the collaboration required to create synergies for more efficient and effective high quality services responding to the needs and demands of smallholder farmers. The modules draw on reform experiences worldwide and provide an introduction, definitions and a discussion for each specific reform measure, as well as case studies, tools, exercises and a reference list. The reform topics are envisaged for policy-makers, management and senior staff of institutions providing agricultural and rural advisory services. It can also be very useful for students studying agriculture, rural development, and extension in particular. This is a substantially updated version of the 2009 publication of the same title, but with only nine modules. These nine modules were restructured and up-dated, and three modules were added. The layout of the modules changed to allow a better overview for the reader.


Smallholder farmer participation in modernization of a food system

Smallholder farmer participation in modernization of a food system

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2018-09-28

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13: 9251097259

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This report explores whether farm assets determine the participation of smallholder dairy farmers in sales to Milk Collection Centres (MCC) and how their duration as MCC suppliers affects their accumulation of farm capital and technology. A survival analysis approach used constructed panel data for dairy farmers over a 12-year period. Participation in MCC value chains is found to be determined by location, training and cooperative membership, thus having a mixed effect on the inclusion of smallholder producers. Duration as an MCC supplier is correlated with accumulation of capital and changes in technology. The implications are that policy-makers need to facilitate smallholder farmers in engaging in collective action and accessing modern infrastructure.