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Improvement strategies for farming systems in the Eastern Highlands of Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Emana Bezabih,
Storck Harmen
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.29
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1574-0862
pISSN - 0169-5150
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-0862.1992.tb00231.x
Subject(s) - agriculture , production (economics) , cropping , livestock , work (physics) , business , linear programming , agricultural economics , agricultural science , environmental resource management , environmental economics , economics , computer science , geography , environmental science , engineering , microeconomics , forestry , mechanical engineering , archaeology , algorithm
Eleven distinct farming systems were distinguished, based on selected indicators and locations. The indicators involve the resource basis, cropping pattern and intensity, and the major activities including off‐farm work. Statistical tests were used to verify the differences. Accounting for the given constraints and for the interdependences of the system's components, strategies are developed to improve their poor economic performance. A linear programming model is used to evaluate the effects on farm performance of (a) reallocating the existing farm resources, and (b) introduction of improved technologies. The type of relationship among the elements of the farming system determines the overall outcome of any improvement effort. Groundnut and livestock production are highly competitive. A package of technological innovations is needed to achieve a major improvement on the smallest farms.