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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Promoting Sustainable Intensification and Productivity Growth in Sahel Agriculture after Macroeconomic Policy Reform
Authors:Reardon, ThomasISNI
Kelly, ValerieISNI
Crawford, Eric
Year:1997
Periodical:Food Policy
Volume:22
Issue:4
Period:August
Pages:317-327
Language:English
Geographic terms:Mali
Burkina Faso
Senegal
Subjects:agricultural intensification
agricultural ecology
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Development and Technology
Economics and Trade
External link:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-9192(97)00022-5
Abstract:Policy reforms and structural adjustment programmes in the Sahel have eliminated many public agricultural support programmes, creating a vacuum that has not yet been filled by the private sector. Sahelian farmers thus face more difficult access to inputs and higher input costs. Input use has stagnated or declined, yet higher population and less land for expansion of cultivation make it vital to increase the productivity of already cultivated land through adoption of intensive agricultural production techniques. While partial intensification is becoming common, too little investment is occurring in inputs and land improvements that maintain soil fertility, control erosion, and improve water availability. Partial intensification therefore risks being an unsustainable strategy. Higher and more sustainable productivity growth requires significantly increased use of chemical and organic fertilizer, improved seeds, bunds and animal traction. The dilemma is how to ensure that such investments are financially and economically profitable and affordable in terms of government budgets. This paper discusses recent field survey evidence concerning the nature of intensification in Sahel agriculture, pointing to both failures (Senegal) and successes (Mali and Burkina Faso). A discussion of the policy implications and recommendations for action conclude the paper. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum.
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