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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Diversity at Different Levels: Farm and Community in Western Nigeria
Author:Guyer, Jane I.ISNI
Year:1996
Periodical:Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:66
Issue:1
Pages:71-89
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:Yoruba
crop diversification
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/1161512
Abstract:This paper argues that the difficulty of applying the concept of diversity to empirical research can be mitigated by empirical specificity. It focuses on the microcosm of a small Yoruba town, Idere, in the context of greater integration into the urban food market of Ibadan over twenty years from 1968 to 1988. Diversity in the wider regional economy is bracketed in order to focus on changes in crop diversity at the farm level, the local hamlet level and the town community level only. The most commonsense expectations are that farm-level diversity of cropping would be to some degree maintained for self-provisioning and that community-level diversity would become narrowed in accordance with the principle of comparative advantage in the market; a certain crop would become more advantageous than others for all farmers. In fact, the author's field research in Idere in 1968-1969 and 1988 reveals tendencies that go in the opposite direction: fostering some greater specialization at the individual level and sustained diversity at the community level. The author argues that Yoruba concepts and practices with respect to individuation and social diversity should be at the heart of an understanding of this pattern of change. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French.
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