Farming Systems in the Tropics

Abstract

THIS book arose from an introductory course of lectures on the characteristics of tropical farming systems for undergraduates at Stuttgart-Hohenheim and Gbttingen Universities and for graduates in general agriculture who were preparing for applied work in the tropics.Beyond its use in lecturing, the book is intended to provide the agricultural development worker with a framework into which he can fit the various types of farming that he will encounter, and at the same time to introduce him to the management prob lems that arise in particular farming systems.The subject is considered in the agro-economic setting.Emphasis is !aid on the interactions between technical and economic aspects of farming.Information about soils, climate, and socio institutional factors is deliberately kept short.Recently, much literature has become available about tropical agriculture, dealing with such crucial topics as soil fertility, irrigation, and practices in plant and animal husbandry.Land-tenure problems, farmers' behaviour, and agricultural-policy measures are increasingly dealt with in a growing number of publications.!have, therefore, preferred to restrict this book to the farm-management aspects.The primary economic characteristics of the more important tropical farming systems and their broad lines of develop ment are described and analysed.It is hoped that this information, as well as promoting understanding, will be helpful in the planning of meaningful development policies for agricultural production in tropical countries.The subject is by no means dealt with exhaustively, and many more farming systems than those depi-ted deserve consideration.I have tried in the illustrations to cover the major tropical crops, but no emphasis has been laid on a geographical balance.As far as possible, the case studies have been taken from areas that I have visited and where I was in a position to confirm the information cited in the relevant literature.This is the reason why most of the case studies are from Africa and Asia and very few are from Latin America.In order to describe the economic situation of each type of farming, I have used quantitative information about inputs and outputs, and much of it is expressed in monetary terms.These figures have, of ceurse, to be considered with great caution.They are difficult to compare because of wide differences in price levels and price relationships.Monetary information of this nature is necessary in order to help provide a clear picture of the circumstances of vA PREFACE farming under different conditions of production.It should not be overlooked, however, that the relevance of the quantitative information depends on the year, on the country, on the farming system, and on the method of estimation.In the complex task of writing this book 1 have been greatly assisted by several co-workers.The main debt is, of course, to the numerous small holders, farmers, and estate managers who so willingly discussed their work and problems.They in fact provided the information t'.at is presented in this book.Most valuable advice and criticism