Revitalizing agriculture is critical for rural Indonesia's economic prosperity. Historically, Indonesia's dramatic poverty reduction was driven by progress in agriculture and agriculture continues to be a potent driver of growth and poverty alleviation. Agricultural sector growth strongly induces non-agricultural sector growth in rural areas, particularly through demand for locally produced and services. Agricultural sector productivity growth (along with price changes) has remained the most important way out of poverty.
This report addresses the establishment of a centralized information and communication technology (ICT) platform for the microfinance sector in Nepal. It has been shown from international experience that ICT improves the efficiency, transparency, and outreach of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and reduces operational costs. There is an opportunity in Nepal to implement similar solutions, and this report provides information on these solutions and offers recommendations for implementing them in Nepal.
Les mutations du secteur agricole bamiléké (Ouest-Cameroun) ont été très importantes depuis le milieu des années 80, marqué par la chute des prix du café, alors principale production du pays Bamiléké, et par la crise économique au Cameroun. Dans cette thèse, le concept de dispositif (Foucault, Moisdon, Maugeri, RIDT-INRA) est l'outil principal d'analyse de ce secteur agricole.
Este trabajo reúne cuatro profundos estudios sobre cuestiones estratégicas del sector agropecuario, los alimentos y la agroenergía en el país, a partir de una mirada detallada del escenario internacional y el lugar de la Argentina en él. El momento de su lanzamiento no podría ser más oportuno. Hoy el mundo, y con él la Argentina, enfrentan el desafío de satisfacer la demanda creciente de alimentos y, al mismo tiempo, garantizar su acceso a cada vez más personas, sin poner en riesgo el desarrollo sustentable ni la seguridad energética.
Investigadores de la Facultad de Agronomía de la Universidad de Buenos Aires participan desde 2003 en este proceso, aplicando el método de Interacción del Saber Técnico Popular (STP) y el Saber Científico (SC). Esta metodología complementaria de investigación se fundamenta en reconocer la validez y la utilidad del saber técnico popular y la fuerza y eficacia que puede generar su interacción con el saber científico.
Maize production is of critical importance to smallholder farmers in Ghana. Various factors limit the productivityof smallholder maize farming systems undergirded by the lack of capital for critical investments both at the farmand at national policy levels. Using a value chain approach, this diagnostic study explains how a complex configuration of actor interaction within an institutionally and agro-ecologically challenged value chain leads tothe enduring absence of maize farming credit support.
High elevation páramo (wetland) ecosystems in the Andes are important water sources for local communities and downstream agricultural and urban users. These headwater catchments, however, are often impacted by human activities (eg agricultural production) that affect both stream water quality and flow. Knowledge about water availability, quality, and use is essential for effective management but is often lacking, particularly in smaller mountain communities.
This paper examines the role of postsecondary agricultural education and training (AET) in sub-Saharan Africa in the context of the region’s agricultural innovation systems. Specifically, the paper looks at how AET in sub-Saharan Africa can contribute to agricultural development by strengthening innovative capacity, or the ability of individuals and organisations to introduce new products and processes that are socially or economically relevant, particularly with respect to smallholder farmers who represent the largest group of agricultural producers in the region.
Ethiopian needs to achieve accelerated agricultural development along a sustainable commercialization path to alleviate poverty and ensure overall national development. In this regard, sustainable commercial of smallholder dairying provides a viable and growing opportunity; with deliberate, appropriate and sustained policy support. A recent empirical analysis concludes however, that Ethiopian smallholder dairy sub-sector has not been able to take-off despite decades of development interventions.
This regional workshop was designed to strengthen the capabilities of representatives of NIFUs for analyzing the situations of their NAIS, and to use their national experiences to identify strengths, weaknesses, and threats/challenges affecting seven key areas influencing development of NAIS, namely: (i) strategy/policy, (ii) institutional aspects, (iii) stakeholders, (iv) content, (v) people, (vi) infrastructure, and (vii) financial aspects. Possible solutions for the key weaknesses and threats /challenges were defined by participants.