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'One of the key features of China's agricultural reform since 1979 is the diversification of agricultural products. As a result of the policy, the share of traditional crop production declined while aquaculture has become the fastest growing agricultural sector. The small-scale household pond aquaculture production, which was almost non-existent before the reform, now plays a dominant role in terms -of fresh-water aquaculture output. The research studies this 'new' mode of economic development, especially the role of local government coordination during the transitional period.of the reform when market was incomplete, by means of a case study of small-scale household pond aquaculture in Shandong province based on data collected through fieldwork. The research uses both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Using household data .- survey across 20 to~ships in counties Weishan and Yutai in lining Prefecture (which is one of the most important fresh water aquaculture production bases in China), the research employed Cobb-Douglas production function to identify the source of growth for small-scale household pond production. The contribution of technological progress to the growth and farmers' increased income is also studied to provide a background knowledge that determined the coordination role of the local government. In order to assess this coordination role, the researcher uses primary interviews from fish farmers and government officials both at the national and the local level. The major findings of this thesis .provide empirical evidence on how China's decentralized government structure effectively facilitated a coordination role of local government to overcome market deficiency when the innovative reform programme, small-scale household pond aquaculture, was introduced into an incomplete market. Moreover, the research used the primary household data survey for an in-depth analysis of production economics for small-scale household production in combination with traditional crop production and identified the major sources for the growth, the opportunity and challenges facing the aquaculture industry. By providing micro evidence, the thesis contributes to the literature on China' economic reform.

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This study uses modelling as a research method to provide insights that allow a better understanding of small-scale dairy farms in Mexico. Both biological and economical aspects are considered, in order to look for a possible approximation to the way resources are perceived and measured in these systems; and to improve the efficiency with which resources are utilised according to a given criterion of efficiency. The work proposes that the main elements of Mexican small-scale dairy systems are the crop production component and the herd. component. In order to represent these components and the basic interaction between them, four optimisation models were developed. Chapter 3 is a study of forage production on Mexican small-scale dairy farms utilising linear programming as an optimisation technique. In order to evaluate. the alternatives suggested by the model, a partial budget was utilised. Chapter 4 describes a nutritional model, again utilising linear programming, aimed at exploring the effects of different feeding strategies over the lactation. The nutritional requirements were calculated by considering milk production and live weight changes over the lactation to evaluate the impact of such strategies on cow performance. The two chapters reveal the importance of a knowledge of the lactation curve. Therefore in Chapter 5 the lactation curve of Mexican dairy cattle is studied comparing different equations that could represent the sequence more accuratately. In Chapter 6, a linear programme was developed that allows optimising the calving pattern and the lactating herd structure. A Markov Chain procedure was then used to simulate the dynamics of reproduction in the herd in order to identify the reproductive parameters that may ensure keeping such an optimal calving pattern. Chapter 7 integrates the outputs obtained by .~ the previous model through multi criteria programme modelling in which the basic elements of the crop production component, the nutrient requirements of the lactating herd over the year.and the optimal herd structure are brought together. And finally, all these chapters are discussed in Chapter 8 where the findings are compared with the objectives proposed, and possible further research is suggested, together with the practical implication for the small-scale dairy producers in Central Mexico.

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In 1984 the New Zealand government abruptly withdrew almost all state support for agriculture. This thesis examines the social impact of this action using Northern Ireland and Prince Edward Island (Canada) as a basis for comparison. The aim is to explain the response of fanners and fann households to the withdrawal of state support as a means to identifying mechanisms or strategies to better manage change elsewhere. Specific attention is paid to the changing role of the farm infonnation system and the broader impact of agricultural change on the rural economy. This research shows that while the number of fanners in New Zealand who lost their fann as a direct consequence of the 1984 refonns was fewer than anticipated, the social impact of the policy changes were widespread, severe and prolonged. The thesis identifies a sequence of changes. In the immediate aftennath of the refonns fanners closed their fann gates and tried to survive through a process of self exploitation and consolidation. There is little evidence of effort to diversify although many fanns only survived through the availability of off-farm income. Subsequently, fanners moved on to a phase of reconstruction and diversification. This in tum has resulted in the establishment of new, economically viable production systems broadly in line with social, economic and political needs. The thesis highlights the importance of cultural and social factors in mediating the economic impact of change and fanners' response to change and concludes that social capital is the primary factor in supporting adaptive change and identifies specific initiatives to build social capital and support resilience in rural communities.