ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

Sustainable development systems for small farmers: issues and options.

Swaminathan, M. S.

Staff Working Paper - International Fund for Agricultural Development Year: 1992 Issue: No. 5 Pages: 9 pp.

1992

บทคัดย่อ

Although the concept of a small farm varies from country to country, FAO's study, 'Agriculture at 2000' shows that in most developing countries the average size of operational holdings will continue to decline. Besides the growth of population, the other factors contributing to this trend are (1) withdrawal of farm land for other uses; and (2) inadequate opportunities for employment in the non-farm sector. Noting that small farmers in the Third World face problems arising from inadequacies in the packages of technology, services and public policies available, this paper asks how they can be helped to improve yield and income in an ecologically sustainable manner. It first analyses the concept of sustainable development. At least three areas need measurement tools: soil health; water quality and availability; biological diversity. It suggests the reorientation of agricultural research into the following areas: land and water management; crop management; energy management; postharvest management; farming systems management. It calls for packages of specific services and public policies. Finally, various new technologies have an important part to play: biotechnology; remote sensing; computer technology; micro-electronics.