Food security in Africa and Asia : strategies for small-scale agricultural development

Authored by an experienced agriculturalist with substantial field experience in developing countries, this book adds to the literature on food security by proposing practical measures for improving plant-based food security in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Covering issues affecting food security, the book discusses ways of measuring farmers' resources, strategies for action, and an analysis of the challenges and problems faced, concluding with a discussion of ways in which stakeholders could work better together. Contents 6 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 11 Introduction 12 The premise of the book 12 The contents summarized 13 1 Defining the Food Security Problem 16 1.1 Introduction 16 1.2 The core concept 17 1.3 Basic terms and meanings 18 1.4 Concept pictures 19 1.4.1 The increase of agricultural production 20 1.4.2 Achievement of sustainable landscape stability 23 1.5 The learning process approach 26 2 Evaluating the Resources of Small-scale and Subsistence Farmers 30 2.1 Introduction 30 2.2 Small-scale and subsistence farmers’ households 31 2.3 Population pressures 33 2.4 Land use in AFR and SAS 39 2.4.1 AFR 39 2.4.2 SAS 40 2.5 Population density 41 3 Alternative Approaches Examined 44 3.1 Relevant to participatory learning and action (PLA) 44 3.1.1 The acceptance of PLA 44 3.1.2 Setting standards for participation 47 3.1.3 Root definitions and conceptual models regarding a blueprint and a learning process approach 49 3.2 Relevant to ideal type models and ‘real world’ problem situations 51 3.2.1 The conflict 51 3.2.2 The combined approach 53 4 The Need for a Participatory Approach 54 4.1 Introduction 54 4.2 The process 56 4.2.1 General 56 4.2.2 The methodology followed 56 4.3 Relevant to agricultural production 57 4.3.1 The potential to increase agricultural productivity 57 4.3.2 Setting standards for participation 60 4.3.3 Root definition and conceptual model 63 4.4 Relevant to landscape stability 67 4.4.1 The potential to achieve a stable landscape 67 4.4.2 Factors influencing sustainable soil patterns 68 4.4.3 Root definition and conceptual model 80 5 Researching the Situation to Define Strategies 84 5.1 Introduction 84 5.2 Finding out what changes are needed 85 5.2.1 Research questions 85 5.2.2 The questionnaire suggested for the research 87 5.3 The activities to be carried out to implement changes 90 5.3.1 Introduction 90 5.3.2 Activities 90 5.4 The monitoring system 93 5.4.1 Introduction 93 5.4.2 The fundamental strategic steps 93 5.5 Indicators 96 5.5.1 General 96 5.5.2 The subjectivity of indicators 97 5.5.3 Type of indicators 97 5.6 Methods used to collect and register 101 5.6.1 To monitor the stability of the landscape 101 5.6.2 To monitor agricultural productivity 102 5.6.3 Control action 103 6 Challenges Presented by Natural and Man-made Factors 104 6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Trends of ecosystems 105 6.2.1 Natural and spatial variability 105 6.2.2 Resilience and resistance 105 6.2.3 State factors and interactive controls 105 6.3 Trends of population growth and density 108 6.3.1 Population growth 108 6.3.2 Population densities 109 6.4 Trends of agricultural production and food security 111 6.4.1 Expand the cultivated area 111 6.4.2 The intensity of land use 112 6.4.3 The increase of yield 117 6.5 The impact of internal political instability 132 7 The Competition for Resources for Food Production 134 7.1 The question of producing crops for food or bio-fuel 134 7.1.1 Competition between crops for food and energy 134 7.1.2 Market disturbance 135 7.1.3 Crops for the production of ethanol 135 7.2 The potential to achieve objectives 140 7.2.1 The World Food Summit 140 7.2.2 The effects of human activities - some examples 143 7.2.3 Independent control variables and agricultural production 143 8 Monitoring Intervention Strategies in Different Farming Systems 146 8.1 Introduction 146 8.2 Definitions described 146 8.2.1 Farm system 146 8.2.2 Farming system 147 8.3 Sub-Saharan Africa 149 8.3.1 Characteristics of the region 149 8.3.2 Farming systems in AFR 153 8.3.3 A closer look at a selection of farming systems in AFR 161 8.4 South Asia 169 8.4.1 Characteristics of the region 169 8.4.2 Farming systems in SAS 170 8.4.3 A closer look at a selection of farming systems in SAS 178 9 Small-scale and Subsistence Farmers’ Households and Selected Farming Systems 188 9.1 Typical households 188 9.1.1 Some households in Sub-Saharan Africa (AFR) 188 9.1.2 Some households in South Asia (SAS) 190 9.2 Strategic priorities 191 9.2.1 Sub-Saharan Africa 191 9.2.2 South Asia 193 10 Liaison of International, National and Local Agencies - Conclusion 196 10.1 Introduction 196 10.2 Tensions 197 10.2.1 Cultural environment and participation 197 10.2.2 Communication 197 10.2.3 Higher education 198 10.2.4 Terms of trade 198 10.2.5 The physical infrastructure 198 10.3 Work together 199 10.3.1 Introduction 199 10.3.2 The process of action 202 10.4 Conclusion 203 10.4.1 Global problems affecting food security 203 10.4.2 Summary of main points 205 10.4.3 Final paragraph 206 List of tables 208 List of figures 212 Abbreviations, Acronyms and Organizations 214 Glossary 216 A 216 C 216 E 216 F 217 G 217 H 217 I 218 L 218 M 219 N 219 O 219 P 219 R 220 S 220 T 221 Bibliography 222 Appendices 228 Index 242 A 242 B 242 C 242 D 243 E 243 F 243 G 244 H 244 I 244 K 244 L 244 M 245 N 245 O 245 P 245 Q 246 R 246 S 246 T 247 U 247 W 247 9781845938413 CABI Defining The Food Security Problem -- Evaluating The Resources Of Small-scale And Subsistence Farmers -- Alternative Approaches Examined -- The Need For A Participatory Approach -- Researching The Situation To Define Strategies -- Challenges Presented By Natural And Man-made Factors -- The Competition For Resources For Food Production -- Monitoring Intervention Strategies In Different Farming Systems -- Small-scale And Subsistence Farmers' Households And Selected Farming Systems -- Liaison Of International, National And Local Agencies. Henk Bakker. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 211-215) And Index. Authored by an experienced agriculturalist with substantial field experience in developing countries, this book adds to the literature on food security by proposing practical measures for improving plant-based food security in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Covering issues affecting food security, this book discusses ways of measuring farmers' resources, strategies for action, and an analysis of the challenges and problems faced, concluding with a discussion of ways in which stakeholders could work better together. This title is suitable for policy makers, international development agencies, NGO