Description
Book SynopsisThis book emanated from the research outputs of different authors whose diverse academic traditions and wide geographic spread play a major role in enriching its contents. The volume is mainly a compilation on smallholder farmers and their practices. The book also highlights the challenges, which that small farmers frequently encounter, and the opportunities or prospects, which abound in their farming operations. Compartmentalised into three major sections, this 11-chapter volume provides an account of thought-provoking scenarios and narratives, which are rich and well- suited for policy development and praxis. The book, therefore, compels policymakers to see opportunities in every challenge associated with smallholder agriculture rather than see challenges in every opportunity therein. While some of the chapters present the results of field experimentations that highlight the impacts of certain geographic features and fertilizer use on root tuber cultivars' production, some explore the effect of climate change on smallholder farming practices and how small farmers counteract the vagaries of weather conditions, which might impede their livelihoods. Nonetheless, most of the chapters largely rely on sociological methodologies to identify pertinent issues affecting the smallholder agriculture. While some of the issues underscore the advocacy for organic farming and its associated benefits or opportunities, others emphasize the uniqueness of certain agro-ecological farming systems and the opportunities, which they might offer resource-poor, smallholder farmers. A number of the chapters specifically provide some historical perspectives on the political economy of smallholder agriculture and identify the motivating and demotivating factors influencing young farmers' affection for farming while some accentuate the pertinent role of research in determining small farmers' response to the adoption of improved biotechnology in achieving food security. In the context of this book, there is a convergence in the findings and viewpoints of the authors in many places regarding topical issues on environmental sustainability, mitigation of climate change, ethics of the agri-food systems and agricultural policy.
Table of ContentsDedicationPrefaceForewordIntroductionCropping System, Tillage and Effects of Fertilizer Treatment on the Grain Yields of Sorghum and Green Grams in Makueni County, KenyaEnvironmental Double Whammy: Climate Change and Land Degradation in the Context of Ghanaian Smallholder FarmersOrganic Agriculture in the TropicsOn Green Economy: Exploring Green Economy-Oriented Agronomic Practices among Youth Farmers in Osun State, NigeriaFood Security and Flood Recession Farming in the Okavango Delta, Botswana: Policies and PracticesDryland Crop Production in Botswana: Constraints and Opportunities for Smallholder Arable FarmersCassava Production in a Semi-Arid Environment: The Case of Mutomo Sub-County in KenyaSmall Scale Horticultural Business: Challenges and (De) Motivating Factors of Young Farmers in Glen Valley Horticultural Farms of BotswanaSustainability and Growth: Future Challenges for Agricultural PracticesSmallholder Farming Practices: Synthesis, Critical Reflections and Policy IssuesIndex.
