This special feature calls for forward thinking around paths of convergence for agriculture, health, and wealth. Such convergence aims for a richer integration of smallholder farmers into national and global agricultural and food systems, health systems, value chains, and markets. The articles identify analytical innovation, where disciplines intersect, and cross-sectoral action where single, l...

four hundered and ninety five (495) smallholder dairy farms active in 52 villages of different cities in chaharmohalo bakhtiari province, keeping 1321 lactating within a total of 2811 mature cows (lactating and dry) were used. these herds were taken during winter 2009 to summer 2010 to assess some of the production, reproductive and economic performance traits under smallholder management syste...

This paper assessed factors which influence market access for smallholder farmers in the major maize producing districts (Mbozi and Sumbawanga) of Mbeya and Rukwa regions, located in the Southern Highland of Tanzania. Cross sectional data were collected from a sample of 240 smallholder farmers which were randomly selected and interviewed using standardized questionnaires. Data were analyzed usi...

This paper analyzes some important issues surrounding possible deployment of genetically engineered (GE) insect-resistant potato in Peru, based on a large farmer survey held in Peru in 2003. We found that the formal seed system plays a limited role compared with the informal seed system, especially for smallholder farmers. Although 97% of smallholder farmers would buy seed of an insect-resistan...

Across the tropics, smallholder farmers already face numerous risks to agricultural production. Climate change is expected to disproportionately affect smallholder farmers and make their livelihoods even more precarious; however, there is limited information on their overall vulnerability and adaptation needs. We conducted surveys of 600 households in Madagascar to characterize the vulnerabilit...

Integrating the conservation of biodiversity by smallholder farmers with agricultural intensification is increasingly recognized as a leading priority of sustainability and food security amid global environmental and socioeconomic change. An international research project investigated the smallholder agrobiodiversity of maize (corn) in a global hotspot (Bolivia) undergoing significant intensifi...

Access to agricultural markets and marketing information are essential factors in promoting competitive markets and improving agricultural sector development. The agricultural sector employs majorities in developing countries and it contributes greatly to the development of these countries. Unluckily, majorities of the farmers are smallholders living in isolated rural areas and thus lack approp...

We use nationally representative survey data from two neighboring countries in Southern Africa – Zambia and Malawi – to characterize the current status of rural land rental market participation by smallholder farmers. We find that rural rental market participation is strongly conditioned by land scarcity, and thus is more advanced in Malawi than in lower-density Zambia. In both countries, we fi...

This paper suggests that a new approach is required to link smallholders with agribusiness in developing countries. This approach combines the use of the new institutional economics, a case study methodology and the lessons of history, to develop some suggestions for the design of a viable and sustainable contract farming model. A case study methodology in the Southern African sugar industry is...

This study aimed at investigative decision support systems for assisting strategic and tactical decision making of smallholder farmers to reduce climate risks and increase crop productivity of semi-arid areas. Specifically, the study assessed farm-level decisions used by the farmers for reducing climate risks; examined information communication and knowledge sharing strategies for enhancing dec...