Browsing by Author "Williams, Timothy O."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Chance, change and choice in Africa's drylands: A new perspective on policy priorities?
    Anderson, J.; Bryceson, Deborah Fahy; Campbell, B.; Chitundu, D.; Clarke, J.; Drinkwater, M.; Fakir, S.; Frost, P.; Gambiza, J.; Grundy, I.; Hagmann, J.; Jones, B.; Jones, G. W.; Kowero, G.; Luckert, Marty; Mortimore, M.; Phiri, A. D. K.; Potgieter, P.; Shackleton, S.; Williams, Timothy O. (Bogor, Indonesia: CIFOR, 2004)
    This paper focuses on policy dimensions in improving the livelihoods of the inhabitants of Africa's drylands, who account for an estimated 40 percent of the continent's population. It draws attention to the fact that past policies have failed because they focused on the presumed limitations of the natural resource base rather than on the dryland people themselves, their knowledge, skills and capacity. The paper details the contribution of dryland people to the local and national economies, stating that their activities are characterized by innovation and experimentation, both in the use of natural resources and in exploiting livelihood opportunities elsewhere. The author advocates a shift away from policies that view the drylands as unproductive or low potential wastelands, to recognize their contribution and supporting opportunities for sustaining livelihoods.
  • Livestock Production and Sustainable Agricultural Development in Semi-Arid West Africa
    Williams, Timothy O.; Hiernaux, Pierre H.Y.; Fernández-Rivera, S.; Turner, M. (1997)
    "Mixed farming systems, combining crop and livestock activities, hold considerable promise for improved agricultural productivity and environmental conservation in semi-arid West Africa. Increasing population pressure and climatic changes have combined to render long-fallow periods less feasible and effective. Transhumant pastoralism, a productive and historically important pattern of livestock production in the Sahel, is under severe stress due to periodic droughts and extension of cropped lands into range-lands. This paper examines alternative options through which the integration of livestock and crop production could contribute to an intensification of agricultural production and enhance the maintenance of soil fertility in semi-arid West Africa. It reviews several aspects of livestock production focusing on social, economic and technical constraints to pastoral production and to efficient integration of crop and livestock activities. The impact of livestock on the agro-ecosystem is discussed in respect of trampling, spatial redistribution of nutrients and the biological effects of grazing and browsing on the vegetation. Technologies and economic incentives that could improve the contribution of livestock to agricultural production in semi-arid West Africa are identified. The paper demonstrates the necessity of multidisciplinary approach and of active farmers involvement in identifying, designing, and developing appropriate technologies for mixed farming systems in Africa." (Williams or editors)
  • Livestock, nutrient cycling, and sustainable agriculture in the West African Sahel
    Powell, J. M.; Williams, Timothy O. (London, UK: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 1993)
    This paper addresses the issue of nutrient cycling by livestock in the West African Sahel. Its basic premise is that an efficient cycling of nutrients between soils, crops and livestock is vital to the sustained productivity of farming systems in the Sahel. It reviews traditional linkages between ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) and soil productivity, and assesses the adequacy of such practices in light of changes taking place in the region. It concludes by suggesting ways in which nutrient cycling could be improved and made part of a broader strategy to enhance sustainable crop-livestock production in the West African Sahel.
  • Multiple uses of common pool resources in semi-arid West Africa: A survey of existing practices and options for sustainable resource management
    Williams, Timothy O. (London, UK: Overseas Development Institute, 1998)
    Common pool resources such as rangeland, forests, fallow fields and ponds provide an array of social and economic benefits for a wide variety of users in semi-arid West Africa. However, poor definition and enforcement of the institutional arrangements governing the use of these resources sometimes lead to social conflicts and resource degradation. This paper examines why institutional arrangements are at times weak, and suggests what action can be taken.
  • Problems and prospects in the utilisation of animal traction in semi-arid West Africa: Evidence from Niger
    Williams, Timothy O. (Niamey, Niger: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 1998)
    Sustained adoption of animal traction for crop cultivation in the semi-arid zone of West Africa has been slow despite deliberate attempts by governments, development agencies and research organizations. to promote its use among small-scale farmers. The low adoption rates are partly due to demand and supply constraints, combined with the absence of certain preconditions (e.g appropriate climatic and biophysical attributes, and farming practices). On the demand side, factors like the short term availability for land preparation and sowing, high opportunity cost of resources tied up in animal traction, variable yield grains from animal traction tillage and long learning curves for both animals and operators have contributed to limit the adoption of animal traction. On the supply side, inappropriately designed and expensive equipment, and inadequate extension, training and support services have inhibited adoption of animal traction. Together, these demands and supply factors have lowered the profitability of animal traction and made its use unattractive to the farmer in semi-arid West Africa. For policy makers and researchers in West Africa, the issue of how to improve the adoption, utilisation and profitability of animal traction remains an important one. This is all the more so given that animal traction has not been fully exploited in many parts of semi-arid West Africa and that its use has seldom led to the achievement of the many benefits documented for other regions of the world, particularly Asia. Factors responsible for the divergence between the potential and actual impact of animal traction, and measures to narrow the gap need therefore to be identified more clearly through empirically based research.
  • Soil Fertility Management for Sustainable Agricultural Production in Semi-Arid West Africa
    Bationo, Andre; Williams, Timothy O.; Mokwunye, A. U. (1997)
    "The development and intensification of agricultural production are vital for economic growth and the alleviation of property in semi-arid West Africa (SAWA). Poor soil fertility and low use of organic and inorganic fertilizers are tow of the most important constraints to increased agricultural productivity in the region. Intensive cropping without replenishment of soil nutrients has progressively depleted the nutrient base of most soils leading to reduced soil fertility, damaged soil structure, reduced water infiltration, and increased soil erosion by water and wind. Soil fertility in the farming systems of SAWA can only be maintained through efficient recycling of organic materials such as crop residues and animal manure in combination with mineral fertilizers and suitable crop rotations. In particular, livestock need to improve agricultural productivity, but also to minimize the competition that arises between independent crop and livestock production activities. This paper identifies and reviews a number of options that can be used to raise agricultural productivity and reduce resource degradation in SAWA." (Bationo or editors)