| There is an urgent need to identify ways to develop arable farming in Botswana in order to reduce national dependence on food imports, save foreign exchange, create rural employment, raise rural incomes, and reduce household dependence on government subsidies.;The goal of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive, systems analysis of arable farming in the Central Region, and the factors affecting arable farming, in order to determine arable farming development priorities. The analysis is based on village and on-farm surveys and experiments carried out between October 1982 and June 1986.;The thesis uses the farming systems approach. The farming systems approach: (a) is holistic not reductionist, (b) generally uses households, farm systems or production subsystems as the unit of analysis, and (c) follows a systems problem evaluation sequence. The systems approach used in the thesis encompasses household circumstances, traditional crop systems management, and local institutions, as well as experimentation to identify improved practices.;The analysis of household circumstances describes the resource constraints affecting arable farming development and reveals a more pervasive pattern of inequality than is indicated in previous studies. Recommendations are given on technical research priorities and targeting strategies.;The analysis of crop systems management focuses on farmers' perceptions and priorities, and the diversity in traditional practices. Several potentially valuable technical investigations are identified.;An overview is given of the on-farm experiments carried out between 1982 and 1986. The trials program primarily focused on modifications in the traditional broadcast, single plow system. A series of budget analyses based on the on-farm trials shows there are modified practices which can be profitably adopted even during drought conditions.;The analysis of agricultural support systems covers the extension service, local traders, village groups, and two agricultural assistance programs. Guidelines are given on appropriate institutional changes.;In the final chapter, a comprehensive strategy for arable farming development is proposed and an assessment is given of the holistic research approach used in the thesis. |
