An evolving paradigm of agricultural mechanization development: How much can Africa learn from Asia?

An evolving paradigm of agricultural mechanization development: How much can Africa learn from Asia?
Author: Diao, Xinshen, ed.
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Total Pages: 548
Release: 2020-12-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0896293807

Agricultural mechanization in Africa south of the Sahara — especially for small farms and businesses — requires a new paradigm to meet the needs of the continent’s evolving farming systems. Can Asia, with its recent success in adopting mechanization, offer a model for Africa? An Evolving Paradigm of Agricultural Mechanization Development analyzes the experiences of eight Asian and five African countries. The authors explore crucial government roles in boosting and supporting mechanization, from import policies to promotion policies to public good policies. Potential approaches presented to facilitating mechanization in Africa include prioritizing market-led hiring services, eliminating distortions, and developing appropriate technologies for the African context. The role of agricultural mechanization within overall agricultural and rural transformation strategies in Africa is also discussed. The book’s recommendations and insights should be useful to national policymakers and the development community, who can adapt this knowledge to local contexts and use it as a foundation for further research.

The Impact of Policy Reform and Institutional Transformation on Agricultural Performance

The Impact of Policy Reform and Institutional Transformation on Agricultural Performance
Author: Beyene Tadesse
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2005-01-01
Genre: Agriculture
ISBN: 9780820476919

Inspired by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, many less developed countries have carried out economic policy reforms and institutional changes. However, it has become increasingly clear that due to lags in institutional and infrastructure development results of policy reforms are unsatisfactory. This study focuses on assessing the impact of policy reform on agricultural production in Ethiopia. It investigates components of output growth, input use, technical efficiency and technological progress by applying a Stochastic Production Frontier model on a detailed rural household database. It also examines the degree of product price instability and its impacts on modern input use and food supply using a Vector Error Correction model on time series data. The study concludes by pointing out the prospects and constraints of agricultural transformation in Ethiopia.

Rural Development Through Carbon Finance

Rural Development Through Carbon Finance
Author: Sebastian M. Scholz
Publisher: Peter Lang
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2009
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9783631592502

In a timely contribution to the international discussion of the post-Kyoto climate regime this study hypothesizes that Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the land use and forestry sector are an efficient instrument for climate change mitigation that contributes to rural development and poverty alleviation at the same time. To this end, the study analyzes socio-economic aspects of a forestry project established under the CDM rules considering an East African case study exemplarily. An agricultural household survey in Tanzania delivered the empirical data for the structural equation model at the center of the analysis. Looking at different farm assets it is shown that the benefits of land use-related climate projects go way beyond pure mitigation. They also have a positive impact on a very broad asset base on which poor farm households depend. Hence, the current CDM only allowing for afforestation and reforestation projects is far too restricted to deliver on its twin objective.

Credit Rationing and Institutional Constraint

Credit Rationing and Institutional Constraint
Author: Xiangping Jia
Publisher: Peter Lang
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9783631582855

The availability of credit has long occupied a central place in development strategies. Rural credit institutions are more than an instrument of intermediation, they also handle risk, mobilize and disseminate information about market and technology. Given the informational problems and innate disadvantages of rural credit markets, the rationale for laissez-faire and liberalization is by no means based on a sound understanding of the state's role in redressing market failures. This study examines the rural credit market in China, its impacts on agricultural transformation and the state's role in the functioning of markets. The particular objectives are to identify the determinants of credit rationing in both formal and informal sectors, to show the extent of credit rationing, to reveal the dynamic role of institutional lending in agricultural transformation, and to understand the challenges in developing efficient institutions.

Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia

Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia
Author: David H. Shinn
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 694
Release: 2013-04-11
Genre: History
ISBN: 0810874571

Ethiopia is clearly one of the most important countries in Africa. First of all, with about 75 million people, it is the third most populous country in Africa. Second, it is very strategically located, in the Horn of Africa and bordering Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia, with some of whom it has touchy and sometimes worse relations. Yet, its capital – Addis Ababa – is the headquarters of the African Union, the prime meeting place for Africa’s leaders. So, if things went poorly in Ethiopia, this would not be good for Africa, and for a long time this was the case, with internal disruption rife, until it was literally suppressed under the strong rule of the recently deceased Meles Zenawi. The Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia, Second Edition covers the history of Ethiopia through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has several hundred cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Ethiopia.

The Transformation of Agri-food Systems

The Transformation of Agri-food Systems
Author: Ellen B. McCullough
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 410
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789251059623

The driving forces of income growth, demographic shifts, globalisation and technical change have led to a reorganisation of food systems from farm to plate. The characteristics of supply chains - particularly the role of supermarkets - linking farmers have changed, from consumption and retail to wholesale, processing, procurement and production. This has had a dramatic effect on smallholder farmers, particularly in developing countries. This book presents a comprehensive framework for assessing the impacts of changing agri-food systems on smallholder farmers, recognising the importance of heterogeneity between developing countries as well as within them. The book includes a number of case studies from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, which are used to illustrate differences in food systems' characteristics and trends. The country case studies explore impacts on the small farm sector across different countries, local contexts and farm types

The Impact of Policy Reform and Institutional Transformation on Agricultural Performance

The Impact of Policy Reform and Institutional Transformation on Agricultural Performance
Author: Beyene Tadesse
Publisher: Peter Lang Pub Incorporated
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2005
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9783631535776

Inspired by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, many less developed countries have carried out economic policy reforms and institutional changes. However, it has become increasingly clear that due to lags in institutional and infrastructure development results of policy reforms are unsatisfactory. This study focuses on assessing the impact of policy reform on agricultural production in Ethiopia. It investigates components of output growth, input use, technical efficiency and technological progress by applying a Stochastic Production Frontier model on a detailed rural household database. It also examines the degree of product price instability and its impacts on modern input use and food supply using a Vector Error Correction model on time series data. The study concludes by pointing out the prospects and constraints of agricultural transformation in Ethiopia.

The Transformation of Agri-Food Systems

The Transformation of Agri-Food Systems
Author: Ellen B. McCullough
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 406
Release: 2012-05-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1136551751

'There should be a good market for this book. The topic is very timely and a major theme of the new World Development Report 2008. The editors and contributors are world class.' Derek Byerlee, World Bank 'This is a topic of wide interest and high policy importance. The depth of coverage and excellent synthesis should ensure that the book will have a substantial market in high-level undergraduate and graduate courses in agricultural development. It will have a solid readership among development economists and policy makers as well.' Mark Rosegrant, International Food Policy Research Institute The driving forces of income growth, demographic shifts, globalization and technical change have led to a reorganization of food systems from farm to plate. The characteristics of supply chains - particularly the role of supermarkets - linking farmers have changed, from consumption and retail to wholesale, processing, procurement and production. This has had a dramatic effect on smallholder farmers, particularly in developing countries. This book presents a comprehensive framework for assessing the impacts of changing agri-food systems on smallholder farmers, recognizing the importance of heterogeneity between developing countries as well as within them. The book includes a number of case studies from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, which are used to illustrate differences in food systems' characteristics and trends. The country case studies explore impacts on the small farm sector across different countries, local contexts and farm types. Published with FAO