Ethnocompetitiveness,relations, and networks: towards rural sustainability

Small producers face various obstacles in placing their products on the global market. The most important obstacle is associated with the generation of innovative products in a dynamic context. This article presents a case study which provides support for a methodology designed to quantify the competitiveness of small and medium-sized local producers in relation to other producers in the same region and nation. It explores how the evolution of knowledge relates to the ability of agricultural producers to sell their products in regional and international markets. To do so, it utilises the concept of ethnocompetitiveness, which can be understood as the hybridisation of local knowledges with external or codified knowledge.     

Polarised narratives and complex realities in Tanzania’s Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor

This article assesses the controversy surrounding a high-profile agricultural investment initiative, the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), which aims to modernise, commercialise, and transform Tanzania’s agricultural sector. Drawing on a review of SAGCOT literature and findings from consultations with SAGCOT stakeholders and intended beneficiaries, the article outlines the polarised narratives of “opportunity” and “risk” informing SAGCOT debates, and presents research findings that challenge these narratives. The findings suggest that agricultural investments are rarely as glamorous or as gloomy in practice as the polarised narratives around SAGCOT suggest, and illustrate the challenges involved in directing agricultural investments in ways that balance multiple interests and objectives in practice.     

An exploration of the financial practices of tribal communities in Jhabua,India

Tribal communities of India have been facing financial challenges for many years, and these have increased alongside commercialisation led by industrialisation. The major reason for this is that tribal communities are neglected by the state, which has had a negative impact on their livelihoods and financial status. The state has made some attempts to promote these communities, but these have been unsuccessful. Against this background, this article explores the financial practices of tribal communities in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, India and presents a microfinance model which could be suitable in the Jhabua context.     

Factors influencing rubber marketing by smallholder farmers in Thailand

This article assesses the factors determining the type of rubber product that farmers are willing to sell and the factors influencing their marketing channel choice in Thailand. Primary data were collected through questionnaire administration from 280 rubber farmers in two southern provinces. The results of the logit regression model revealed that membership of farmers’ organisation, access to knowledge and information, and total area of immature rubber positively influenced the sale of fresh latex. Membership of farmer organisations and accessibility to market infrastructure also significantly positively influenced the sale of fresh latex to farmer groups. The implications for rubber marketing are presented.     

Agricultural service delivery: strengthening private crop protection service in southern Ethiopia

As one element of agricultural service delivery, in Ethiopia crop protection service has generally only involved the private sector on a small scale. This article outlines a case study where private crop protection service (PCPS) was strengthened from 2006 to 2010 in Halaba Special District, southern Ethiopia. The study used questionnaires, analysis, service comparison, ranking, and indicator-based assessments. The study shows that PCPS in 2007/08 crop seasons served 1,104 households on 1,707?ha of land in 19 Kebeles, contributing US$327,752 in total. Assessment indicators values were better for PCPS than the informal crop protection service. Piloting PCPS strengthening is recommended to improve crop protection service and reduce crop loss in Ethiopia.     

Are there “women’s crops”? A new tool for gender and agriculture

A “Gender Control Tool” was developed to measure women’s control over decision-making for agricultural production, sales, and use of income. The tool was tested for groundnuts in Eastern Province, Zambia, where mechanisation has increased male participation in groundnut shelling, and for goats in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe, where the introduction of auctions has increased investment and sales. A mixed methods approach was used, that involved focus group discussions (FGDs) and a quantitative household survey. This article compares the results obtained from these two methods and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the tool in understanding how commercialisation affects women’s control.     

Landholding size and farmers’ access to credit and its utilisation in Pakistan

This article reports on a study that aimed to investigate the differences in access to, and utilisation of, agricultural credit among subsistence farmers in Pakistan. Primary data were collected from 87 randomly selected subsistence farmers. Results show that subsistence farmers with more land had greater access and utilisation, and that education, experience, type of farmer, and landholding size were significant factors influencing access to credit. As subsistence farmers with the least land were the most disadvantaged, there is a need for revamping the credit policy to protect their interests. Moreover, simplifying the existing complex procedures involved in securing agricultural credit is highly recommended.     

Controlling gully erosion: an analysis of land reclamation processes in Chambal Valley,India

Programmes for environmental protection and land reclamation have been deeply embedded in local political and social contexts. This article focuses on the effectiveness of such measures to control ravine erosion in the lower Chambal Valley, one of the most degraded regions in India. The study used field observation to see whether the measures had any impact on further gully and ravine formation. The findings suggest that agricultural practices, including those often based on the short-term economic needs of households, lead to inefficient land-use practices, particularly in land-levelled and reclaimed areas.     

农业市场转型中的组织化困局——从象征资本视角考察农业组织化行动的自主性空间

目前，农业市场转型过程中出现了许多以往经济理论难以完整解释的问题。这些都要求我们在理论视角上进行创新。从象征资本的角度，即对在转型过程产生重要影响的象征权力运作的各种技术与机制进行考察和分析就是这样一种新的尝试。尽管象征权力技术在任何社会、任何领域中都可能存在，但由于受到中国特殊的历史基础的影响，我国农业领域的象征权力生产与再生产过程有其独特性，并产生了一种特殊的支配效应，给农业市场化带来了西方经验未曾预料到的问题。基于计划体制的剩余——农村的弱积累和弱公民社会以及国家保留对相当大一部分社会资源的控制权，国家成功地在农民的市场性自主性空间之外架构起了一个与之相抗衡的制度性自主性空间，这个“意外”空间通过将能人吸引到集权关系体系中来而完成了对他们的控制，进而以他们为中介控制了乡村社会。     

农业起步 工业突围 欠发达地区的乡村发展路径——以江苏省江都市小纪镇为例

该文通过对汀苏省江都市小纪镇的实地考察，结合文献研究和听取汇报等方式，探讨欠发达地区的乡村发展模式，提出了从农业起步、用工业突围的小纪模式。