The Economics of Tropical Farming Systems

Clear student text on theory and practice of economic decision making in tropical agriculture.

Martin Upton (Author)

9780521483407, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 December 1996

392 pages, 99 b/w illus. 45 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.57 kg

'… the author produces an authoritative text interlaced with many relevant and illustrative references …' Experimental Agriculture

Based on the author's widely used earlier text African Farm Management, this account updates the economic analysis of tropical agriculture and includes examples from all parts of the developing world. Writing in a clear, concise style, Professor Upton explains the essential theories of farm economics without numerous mathematical formulae. This account is completely revised, with increased emphasis on 'farm household economics', in which farms are seen as consumers as well as producers. Containing a new chapter on the economics of irrigated agriculture. This book provides an invaluable economic framework for better understanding the management of farming systems in the tropics, and will be welcomed by students of tropical agriculture worldwide.

Preface
Part I. Farm Production Economics: 1. Farming systems in economic development
2. The farmer's environment
3. The farmer's production choices
4. Labour and leisure
5. Costs, scale and size
6. Risk avoidance
Part II. Resource Use: 7. Capital and credit
8. Natural resources
9. The economics of irrigated farming systems
Part III. Field Investigations: 10. Farming systems research
11. Surveys
12. Analysis
13. Production functions
Part IV. Farm Planning: 14. Budgeting
15. Investment appraisal
16. Linear programming
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Tropical agriculture: practice & techniques [TVQ]