Whereas yield increases are considered central in modernised agriculture, they can be seen as just one element of impact in peasant farming. In assessing their farms, peasants depart from the specificities of their farm, the ecosystem in which it is embedded, the society and the markets in which they operate, and the possibilities and limitations … Read more

Even in the International Year of Family Farming there is confusion about family farming. What is it, and what distinguishes it from entrepreneurial farming or family agribusiness? The confusion tends to be highest in places where the modernisation of agriculture has led society further away from farming. Jan Douwe van der Ploeg takes us into … Read more

Yes, credit can be a useful instrument for farmers to improve their income. But it does have its drawbacks. Credit programmes often undermine farmers’ independence and oblige them to take all the risk. Jan Douwe van der Ploeg assesses the pros and cons, and looks for alternatives. Farming Matters | 26.2 | June 2010 Credit … Read more