Browsing by Author "Toulmin, C."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Herders and farmers or farmer-herders and herder-farmers?
    Toulmin, C. (London, England, UK: Overseas Development Institute ODI Pastoral Network Paper No. 15d, 1983)
    The paper describes the recent evolution of cropping patterns in Kala, an agro-pastoral village in Central Mali, and examines the economic strategies of herders and farmers in the region. It looks at the growing competition between different groups for access to land and water in the context of (a) an increasing direct involvement by pastoral groups in cultivation, (b) the attraction of short-cycle crop varieties and the importance of manure and (c) the consequent desire of different groups to acquire and maintain control over water supply. It concentrates on the Bambara community of Kala, and the means by which it has asserted its right to control access to water by livestock within its territory so that farmers can acquire the manure they need to expand production of fast growing varieties of millet. This village's experience demonstrates some of the advantages of the integration of crop and livestock activities and points to the internal adaptability of traditional farming systems in a region where there are high production risks, due largely to climatic variability. The paper first describes the zone studied, socioeconomic aspects of the agro-pastoral system and the climatic context within which there has been a growing emphasis on rapid crop varieties. Some comparisons are made of returns to land and labour between short and longer cycle millet varieties. The sources of manure available to farmers are considered, and in particular the investment in digging wells by villagers in Kala is discussed. Finally, some of the consequences for the relationship between herders and farmers of the increased value of manure within the cropping system are discussed. (CAB Abstract)
  • Integrated soil fertility management: Policy and best practice document 7
    (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2000)
    This policy and best practice document focuses on ways to promote integrated soil fertility management in developing countries, particularly by smallholders working under rainfed conditions. We aim, by this means, to contribute to more sustainable agriculture which is vital to achieving food security, poverty alleviation and environmental protection. All of these are important objectives of the Netherlands' development cooperation policy.
  • Managing soil fertility in Africa: Diverse settings and changing practice
    Hilhorst, T.; Muchena, F.; Defoer, T.; Hassink, J.; de Jager, A.; Smaling, E.; Toulmin, C. (International Institute for Environment and Development, 2000)
    This publication is the introductory chapter of the book, Nutrients on the move: Soil fertility dynamics in African farming systems; it summarizes the main findings of soil fertility case studies in six African countries. Key biophysical and socioeconomic constraints on production by smallholder farmers and the possibilities for improving agricultural productivity in Africa are highlighted. The case studies seek to find what is actually happening at farm and field level, how soil fertility management varies between different fields, farmers and locations, and what are the implications for interventions aimed at improving soil fertility management.
  • Sustainable intensification in African agriculture
    Pretty, Jules; Toulmin, C.; Williams, S. (London, UK: Earthscan, 2011)
    For many developing countries, agricultural production gains have facilitated rural and urban economic growth. However, African countries in general are viewed as being unsuccessful in increasing productivity. Sustainable intensification is a method of production that incorporates the principles of natural resource conservation and efficient use with intensive agricultural practices. Recently, it is a coming into ideological and practical popularity among agriculturalists, environmentalists, and economists as a means to increase productive capacity sustainably. In this study, forty projects and programs utilizing concepts of sustainable intensification in twenty African states were evaluated the determine the commonalities of success. Increased yields and benefits to farmers and their families were demonstrated, and scaling out now presents significant issues and challenges. Common factors in the success of these forty endeavors include farmer and scientist-generated animal integration technologies, improving social infrastructure, incorporation of the private sector, adoption of modern communication technologies, developing rural banking and microfinance opportunities, garnering support from the public sector, and focusing on impacts and issues related to gender.
  • Sustaining the soil: Indigenous soil and water conservation in Africa
    Scoones, I.; Reij, C.; Toulmin, C. (London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 1996)