Contribution of farm power to smallholder livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa
By: by Clare Bishop-Sambrook.
Series: Agricultural and food engineering technical report -- 2.
Publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Rome, Italy
Language: eng
Number of pages: 87
Subjects: Farm mechanization -- Africa, Sub-Saharan; Farms, Small -- Africa, Sub-Saharan; Sustainable agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Africa, Sub-Saharan; Poverty -- Africa, Sub-Saharan
Description: "At the beginning of the new millennium, rural livelihoods in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa are under considerable strain. The economies and political environments in many countries are experiencing a period of significant transformation, and endemic poverty remains common. Agriculture, which forms the core of rural livelihoods, has a major influence on livelihood outcomes. Farm power (from human-, animal-, and engine-driven sources) is a crucial input in the agricultural production process. Shortages of farm power compromise the ability of families to cultivate sufficient land and have long been recognized as a mojor contributory factor to the increasing prevalence of poverty in the region. This study discusses the farm-power theme through the livelihoods philosophy. It highlights the overall problem of the availabilty of farm power and its interrelationships with socio-economic parameters of rural life. The report illustrates the great complexity of farm-power interrelations and problem areas that are clustered around the farm-power theme. It makes clear that farm-power availability is not simply a matter of promoting a certain technology or equipment. It shows that all aspects of the livelihoods of a rural household are connected to and affected by the available farm-power base"--p. 4 of cover.
Notes: "TC/D/A0229E/1/12.05/1000."--p. 4 of cover.

Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Country and field-site characteristics; title: Developments in farm power; title: Livelihoods analysis of farm-power systems at community level; title: Analysis of livelihood asset base of individual farm-power groups; title: Analysis of livelihood strategies and outcomes for individual farm-power groups; title: Conclusions and recommendations.