The Farming Systems of the Northern Region of Zambia are analysed along with other options in the context of farm family resource structures by use of Single and Multiple Objective Mathematical Programming Models. The Multilevel Systems Approach used in this research, where individual Farm Level Decision Models are aggregated into a Regional Resource Planning Model is presented and the resulting model structure is described. The models are used to investigate land/resource use options open to smallholder farmers in the Northern Region of Zambia. In addition, the models attempt to explore an approach which takes preferences from the farm level through to regional level planning and decision-making. With regard to the modelling approach, multiple objective programming was found to be a useful tool at both individual farm and regional levels. Perhaps, the greatest value to this type of research is that the application highlights the key relationships that exist between technologies, productive activities, constraints and smallholder farmers' preferences in meeting specified goals and in determining the conflicts and trade-offs that would occur if certain decisions were made. It is concluded that, for the land/resource use options considered, smallholder farmers could made significant socio-economic gains by integrating crop and tree production, but inadequate working capital and family labour are major constraints by sacrificing either energy output or net income from tree crop activities. Opportunities exist for raising living standards in the rural areas if the liquidity position of the farmer at the beginning of the growing season can be improved. In an average rainfall year, an increase in cash availability would enable the farmer to purchase fertiliser, hire labour and buy other inputs - all of which would serve to increase the food security and improve the general welfare and life style of the people in the long run.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:660028 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Nkowani, Kenneth |
| Publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/1842/15538 |
Page generated in 0.0025 seconds